Batboner from Norway were already featured on the pages of this webzine when I reviewed their last release. Now, they are back with their brand new EP containing four songs and this is the final record with their drummer Zonetripper who left the band and it is a sort of hommage to him. On this new one Batboner continue where they left off with the previous one, delivering eerie gothic punk mixed with raw punk rock and death rock, also some horror punk influences in the song structures. I love how this band on both releases manages to create kind of eerie melodies, meaning, yes, they are melodic but somehow spooky and songs like ‘Flaccid’ could be hits in any goth club because it is a very straightforward and dancable song. ‘litch’ is a song in which those beautiful haunted vocal lines come to forefront and deliver mighty punch in the face and blackened heart. As I can hear this new EP leans more on punk side of things and music is still death rock but with more of a punk touch. ‘Light In The Void’ is a personal favorite of mine with that nice bass melody, simple and hitting through to you. Vocals are again at the forefront but chorus is at the same time more aggressive yet melancholic. ‘Skretch’ is a final song on this EP and leaves me wanting more and saying long live the horror!
Coping Method are hailing from San Francisco, California and this is their self recorded demo containing an intro plus five songs. Music is just the way I like it, fast and at times chaotic. This is hardcore punk bordering with power violence and also some slower, sludgy stuff thrown in with screaming vocals, thundering bass and tortured apocalyptic atmosphere and vibe coming your way. Songs like ‘Cope’, ‘Torture’ or ‘Behold’ are sure to win you over with their vision of hardcore punk. This is a great demo by great band. I also love and encourage use of samples, it is always great. I look forward to next releases by this great band. Hardcore lives!
Band Statement: “Too Loud Records have had a big impact on the sound of Dead Pollys as they released “Strummerland” in 2019. It was well recieved and the cooperation was great, so Dead Pollys have decided to continue the cooperation in 2023. They will follow suite with the album “Truth of Tomorrow”. With the new drummer Martin Hällgren and guitarist Clabbe Fredriksson the band is iterating. The album is a bit faster and harder. Most of the songs are new, but a couple of them is unreleased and re-recorded material from 2015 when they made their U.S tour together with Down By Law.”
12 fast and straight songs Mixed and Mastered by Riccardo Daga at Titans Lab Recording Studio in Ferrara (Italy) another great album from a great Swedish punk band.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 