Canadian punkrockers Burning Nickels are releasing their brand new e.p. with High End Denim Records. I must admit that I have never listened to this band prior to this release, but now I am happy that I discovered another great band for my listening pleasure. This e.p. contains four songs, first Bootstraps which features guest performance by Sam Russo this song has such beautiful dual vocal harmonies that are so sweet topped with awesome main song melody and energetic drumming and fast parts, that make this one epic listening. The music of Burning Nickels is melodic punk, bordering somewhere between faster skate punk and nineties melodic punk that I love so much. The title song was released prior to this record, it features guest performance by Dannyboy from The Corps and it is my personal favorite with such strong goosebump making melody and superbly written. Sentiment features guest performance by Alex from Debt Neglector and is another testament why I love melodic punk so much and why it is is one of the best things on this planet besides chocolate pudding. This one also features clever use of samples and I love when bands do that. Summer Boner is more of a pop punk song, being easy, full of uplifting yet somehow melancholic vibe and this is a great little e.p. I can´t wait for the full length to come out.
Down By Law are back with their brand new studio full length album. I remember when I first heard of these guys as a teenage kid growing up in the nineties. I read the review of their record and their interview in one Italian fanzine which was done by a guy from Croatia who lived in Rome back then, zine was called Zips N Chains. Dave Smalley is a living legend of hardcore punk scene with all his bands he made music with. On this record we get 13 songs like we are used to from DBL, being melodic, heartfelt punk rock done from the hardcore hearts of this punk veterans. Hard to believe, but Dave´s voice is even better now than ever. I love the songs, reminding me of the bands I have listened to a lot when I was younger, and still do. Songs like Lonely Town, Steal The Night and Heroes And Zeroes are personal favorites of mine, but the record as a whole is one feelgood punk record that brings back smile on your face in these still no gigs and festivals uncertain times for our scene. Much respect to Dave and rest of the guys, another memorable fantastic record.
Nutshell are from Leuven, Belgium and this is their new e.p. These five entities grew up, as they say, on different forms of punk rock and they amalgamated all their influences in their music, thus making Nutshell what it is. What do we have here? We have five songs of mighty punk rock bordering with garage punk influences in the songwriting and the music itself is very energetic, yet there is some subtle melody underneath it all, like in one of my personal favorites Florida Man with that wicked guitar hooks of melody. Vocals are shouted and a bit nervous at times, but they are just like they are supposed to be for this kind of punk. Guitars are also very crispy, noisy and hit you right in the eye along with thunderous drumming and pumping bass. Lyrics are a bit humorous, a bit personal and a bit political if you read between the lines. I like this one. If you are a fan of this kind of punk rock, go get this one.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 