Castillo from Los Angeles are one of the leading names of the dominant wave of Oi! currently storming clubs across the U.S.. The driving force behind the project is Alex Zambrano, who has been involved in a number of Oi!/streetpunk/hardcore bands – most notably Combat Force, Criminal Outfit, and Repeat Offender. What started out as a one-man project quickly turned into a full-fledged band after the first demo, with Alex joining forces with musicians experienced in acts such as Barricade, Down For Life, Fed Up, Final Call, The Hardknocks, Toughskins, Vis Vires, Criminal Outfit, Artificial Joy, and Skinfather.

The album Pleasure and Pain delivers a total of seven tracks. The opening and title track Pleasure and Pain is a fast and energetic punk anthem that bands like G.B.H. wouldn’t be ashamed of. Endless Days is carried by a standout guitar lead, while the darker Bastard is driven forward by powerful gang chants. Call Lane is a straight-up love song and, in my opinion, the best track on the record. After Their Lies, the band drops their only Spanish-language song, Con Orgullo y Amor (With Pride and Love), before closing with the excellent and slightly nostalgic I’ve Learned Today.

This is easily among the best the current Oi! scene has to offer. Another U.S. band, proudly embracing their Latin American roots. Released in Europe by Mendeku Diskak and in the U.S. through Battle Scarred Records. If you want to hear how Oi! sounds today – melodic yet raw, powerful and free of clichés – grab this record. You won’t be disappointed.

TOP TRACKS: Call Lane, I’ve Learned Today