Jughead’s Revenge were a band as I was a hardcore kid discovering more and more bands that I love in the scene and I must admit that since 90-ies I didn’t follow them really much. As I understand, they are active again and here is the new EP containing 5 songs. They were on BYO Records and Nitro Records back in the day and I am glad that they keep the flame burning again. This new one contains songs in melodic punk vein, but what I love about Jughead’s Revenge is that they kept the rawer edge of punk rock although they play skate punk and melodies come with raw guitar riffs, thundering bass and almost touchable punk rock energy blowing from your speakers into your old school punk rock heart! ‘Isolation Time’ is a fast tempo punk song reminding me a bit of Face To Face but not so melodic as mentioned band. ‘Bridges’ is my one of my favorites on this record with such beautiful main guitar melody and great interplay between main vocals, which are rougher and harmony backing vocal melodies. I totally dig this song and listened to it over and over again! ‘My Side’ is old school hardcore song miniature in the vein of Good Riddance and Sick Of It All if I must compare it to some other bands. ‘Eighties’ are more rock and roll influenced storms of riffs and pulsing drumming with some mid tempo rock sing along parts thrown in for good measure. This song makes me feeling kind of nervous while listening to and wanting to break something in the vicinity. ‘I’ll Be Seeing You’ is another favorite of mine. Fast hardcore punk track with great uplifting melody and atmosphere that makes you want to pump your fist in the air! Great EP by great band!
Time for another band from our homeland scene, namely Home Conflict, who are no strangers to the pages of this webzine. This band is based in capital of Croatia, Zagreb and they just released their third album. They had some line-up changes compared to first two albums and other main difference is that this time whole album is written in Croatian language. First two albums were melodic punk par excellence, reminding me a bit of Overflow, but this one is also different. Home Conflict play more harsher melodic hardcore side of things on these five new songs. Carefully chosen first single called ‘Oprost’ (Forgiveness) is personal song but can be also understood as political between the lines. Vocals on the album as a whole are perfect, angry when need be, melodic and gentle when need be. I also love harsher speed of ‘Igre Riječi'(Word Games), talking a bit more angry about friendship and second chances to which all of us can relate to. My personal favorite is ‘Kolo Sreće'(Wheel of Fortune) featuring guest vocals by great singer Petra Ivković, whose voice interplays perfectly with energy of the song and main vocal lines and backing vocal harmonies. The main fault and only fault of this album is being too short, having too few songs and listening to over and over again, making you hungry and wish for more and more. I would love to witness these songs performed live, I am sure this band’s live show is a blast of hardcore energy and melody! Omča(The Noose) and Dobre namjere(Good Intentions) deliver such positive impact on me making this one of the best releases in Croatian scene this year!
Primetime Failure from Germany are in no way strangers to the pages of this webzine, since we reviewed their last release here. This fantastic melodic punk band released their new e.p. with 5 songs delivering ultra melodic skate punk with pop punk sensibility and one of the best vocal melodies and backing vocal harmonies that I have listened in last couple of years, well since their last release. Lyrics are personal and I think many of us can relate to. My personal favorites are ‘I like what you’ve done with the place’ having such anthemic vibe and also ‘Blueprint’ which I listened to over and over again. Excellent release by this excellent band.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 