Esprit De Corps is a new project bringing together members of Force Majeure and Wired Up from Montreal and Gainesville. The release comes courtesy of the tried-and-tested partnership between Try And Stop Me Records and Longshot Music. Pressed on a 12-inch vinyl, the record features five tracks that immediately make it clear where the band’s musical roots lie.

The opening track, Nothing To Prove, instantly reminds me of The Templars during the 1118–1312 era, just before the turn of the millennium. The resemblance is evident not only in the vocal delivery but also in the overall atmosphere. Once the more rock-oriented guitar leads kick in towards the end, the influence becomes even more obvious. The second track, Hold True, takes a noticeably more aggressive and militant approach, both musically and lyrically.

According to the band’s promotional material, Esprit De Corps draw inspiration from the French Oi! scene of the 1980s. That influence is certainly there, but I’d say the band filters it through a much more modern sound. The French touch is most apparent on Nouvelle Ére and Vague De Choc, which are, fittingly, both sung in French. Nouvelle Ére is the track that stays closest to the classic French Oi! tradition, while Vague De Choc is pure street punk, packed with energy and driven by a simple but effective message: once the sun goes down, the streets belong to us—and you’d better stay out of our way.

The closing title track, Esprit De Corps, even introduces a saxophone, adding yet another colour to the band’s musical palette. Altogether, this is a record that will appeal to fans of both classic and contemporary French Oi!, as well as anyone who appreciates the timeless retro sound championed by The Templars for more than thirty years. If this debut is any indication, Esprit De Corps are off to a more than promising start, and hopefully they have a long road ahead of them.

TOP TRACKS: Nothing To Prove, Hold True