Who said that punkrock and symphonic orchestra dontgo together like cheese and ham sandwich? Well, they do! At least in case of Nofx. Legendary Fat Mike and his gang recorded their most epic and longest song ever live with the help of orchestra and it sounds just phenomenal. So, besides being epic and melancholic like this song is in its original version, this live rendition makes it even more fantastic with all the brass instruments thrown in, symphonic atmospheric parts and overall kinda sad, melancholic vibe that this song always had one me while listening. But, the real jewel also lies in the second half of the record with the new song Linewleum being partly cover of the band´s most known song Linoleum, but with awesome, sarcastic and cheesy lyrics, yet still serious, like we were used to in the best days of this legendary skatepunks from California. The guest features Avenged Sevenfold on guitars and it sounds awesome! Go get this one!
NOFX are back this time delivering split with Frank Turner, each of them covering the songs by another. Each covers five songs. NOFX side is fantastic, I am not so much a fan of Frank Turner and his work, but NOFX delivered here fantastic job with Worse Things Happen At Sea and Thatcher Fucked The Kids having sound like old school NOFX stuff, delivering a lesson i melodic skatepunk. I love the new phase of Fattie and the gang, having more darker approach to the lyrics and songmaking, leaving somehow the old school fun and jokes behind, having more personal, battle your demons approach. But, this is cover e.p., so they are not writing songs here, but still I love the NOFX side a lot. The set of songs done by Frank Turner are cool, especially Scavenger Type and Eat The Meek. I am surprised how both managed to keep their sound with other artist`s songs making it sound like their own and even better. This is not your typical boring cover songs release. Go get this one.
Bike Age from Stuttgart, Germany were already featured on the pages of this zine when I reviewed their full length album, now it is time for their new e.p. to grace the pages of this zine. I really wanted to check them out at Beach stage on this years Punk Rock Holiday, but this covid shit erased all festivals this year, leaving only depression for gig and festival free Summer, at least here. Goddamnit! But, back to music! The new e.p. offers 4 songs plus awesome Ramones cover Bonzo goes to Bitburg with superb reggae/ska parts thrown in thus making it fresh and new for this classic punkrock hit. What this band plays is 90ies melodic skatepunk with no philosophy, only melodic punk with heart and soul, like all the classics I grew up on. There are some reggae parts like in cool Compassion long gone but mainly it is faster and energetic punkrock with something special. All the songs have some melancholic element in them, like being a bit sad, and I love it, this band has a really special vibe. Vocals and backing vocal harmonies are superb, musicianship tight, I would really love to check these guys out playing live soon. The e.p. is too short unfortunately, I can`t wait for the new record.
KRAYKULLA-WEBZINE 