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Haywire – Conditioned for Demolition LP

Boston Hardcore – all day, every day! A burst of fresh blood on the U.S. hardcore scene, kicking hard in every direction. This is the kind of hardcore I’m into – tempo shifts, builds from groovy, head-nodding parts into crushing blasts of sound, and a fast, clipped vocal right up...

Battle Ruins – Battle Ruins 12″

Battle Ruins are a phenomenon. Their self-titled 7″ EP from 2010 was the first release that introduced them to the world under the Rock ‚N‘ Roll Disgrace Records label. Now, in 2024, this classic gets a repress – this time on 12″ vinyl in a deluxe gatefold sleeve, courtesy of...

INTIMIDATION – TOTAL AGGRESSION LP

This mini LP was released in 2023 as a collaboration between Try And Stop Me Records and Mister Face Records. Intimidation is a four-piece band hailing from New Jersey and western Massachusetts, USA. They seem to come from the same tribe as bands like Violent Way, Restraining Order, Klaxon, The...

First Attack – No Escape LP

I’d been looking forward to this record ever since the first mentions of it appeared. I discovered the Canadian project First Attack on Bandcamp, where two songs were initially released. What immediately caught my attention was the involvement of vocalist and guitarist Greg Huff, known from bands like Glory Stompers,...

FUERZA BRUTA – CONTRA LP

Contra is the second full-length album from Chicago’s Fuerza Bruta. This crew delivers top-notch Oi! punk that, in my opinion, ranks among the best the global scene has to offer. The record kicks off with a dark, choral intro that sets an occult tone — one that runs through the...

Nežfaleš – Šminky padlejch královen LP

Šminky padlejch královen (Makeup of Fallen Queens) was released in 2021 on Cecek Records. It’s the eighth studio release from this Prague-based band—counting their split album with kindred spirits Supertesla. Nežfaleš has been around long enough to develop a distinctive and unmistakable voice. At the same time, their music reflects...

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Templars / Castillo – Split EP

This split EP was released on TKO Records as the latest chapter in the ongoing series where The Templars go head-to-head with bands they admire. This time, they’re joined by the Los Angeles outfit Castillo. The record features two tracks, one from each band, and once again perfectly captures the...

Crown Court – Heavy Manners LP

Crown Court from London released this album on Randale Records in 2023, roughly ten years after the band was formed. I already really enjoyed their 2016 album Capital Offence – it felt raw, unpolished, and carried a strong ’80s vibe that you rarely hear from many bands these days. In...

Mental Warfare – Everything Is Wrong LP

Mental Warfare is a project of guitarist Chris Cesarini, whom I first noticed through his involvement in bands like Conservative Military Image, Haywire, and Street Power. I also found out that he has been active in other Boston hardcore bands, namely Back Of Tha Neck and Years Apart, though I’m...

SIKM / The Slads Split EP

This 7″ is a split release by two US Oi! bands, SIKM and The Slads, with each band contributing two original tracks and presenting their own take on Oi! punk. While SIKM from Atlanta go for a much more direct and raw approach, strongly influenced by punk ’82, The Slads...

Venenö – Demo MMXXIV EP

Venenö are a band from New York who describe themselves as a mix of 1980s punk, Oi!, and a touch of post-punk. The lineup includes current and former members of bands such as 45 Adapters, The Stance, The New York Hounds, The Take, Rododendrons, The Press, and other crews from...

Lazy Class – The Dawn To Come LP

  Lazy Class are a band from Poland, but with a drummer who has Spanish roots, something I first noticed back on their 10″ Hell Of San Domingo. At the time, I was scratching my head over how a Polish band had come up with a song about the Battle...