We had the pleasure of interviewing Fitz from Belgrade, where we talked about their perspective on streetpunk and subcultures through the eyes of a band from the Balkans. The result was an interesting read, which we put together to mark the release of their first full-length album. Absolution came out in 2025 on Lionheart Records. After reviewing their first EP, it’s time to take a closer look at this LP.
What carries over from their first release is streetpunk with rock’n’roll influences, played at a mid to slower tempo with a strong emphasis on guitar lines. Fitz don’t feel the need to push everything forward at breakneck speed. Instead, they give the songs room to breathe, let the melodies shine and build on a straightforward foundation, adding memorable choruses along the way.
Their usual approach is to lay down a rhythmic foundation, build the lead vocals on top of it and then bring everything together with singalongs and a few extra ideas that add something more to the songs. It’s not a complicated formula, but it works in their hands. When we interviewed Fitz, I was also struck by their outlook on the world. It’s intelligent and critical, while still retaining plenty of rebellious spirit. The same attitude runs through Absolution, both musically and lyrically.
The album opens with the slower Sins of the Fathers, featuring dark lyrics that set the mood. The second track, Hashtag Rebellion, delivers a poisonous dose of irony and a sharp comment on the pretences that often hide behind supposedly rebellious attitudes. Then we get the more punk-driven Goner, a song about a Saturday night out with the football crew. But my favourite on side A is the excellent Creepshow. It adds a healthy dose of rock’n’roll to the streetpunk foundation, complete with catchy singalong hooks. This is exactly the kind of song I enjoy most from Fitz. It has drive, a strong melody and a chorus I can easily imagine the crowd shouting along to right in front of the stage.
Side B kicks off with a much faster and more punk-oriented approach than the first side. With its subject matter, Off With Their Heads practically calls for a bit of aggression, and the band delivers through a more forceful pace and a sharper delivery. It provides the soundtrack to the image of a blade dancing at the executioner’s block that the song paints. Next up is my personal favourite on the entire album, the football anthem The Pitch The Glory. This is where everything I like about Fitz comes together again: a rock’n’roll edge, a catchy melody and an energy that doesn’t have to be frantic to pull the listener in.
On Trench Rider, Fitz return to the trenches, revisiting a theme that already appeared on their first EP. The closing track is the title song, Absolution, which moves at a brisker pace and brings the album to a fitting conclusion. The band stays true to its own style rather than trying to introduce some unexpected twist at the last minute just for the sake of it.
Personally, I enjoy the tracks that make the most of rock’n’roll elements in their construction. The Pitch The Glory, Absolution and Creepshow, with its punchy guitar work, are my favourites on the record. These are the moments when Fitz show what their take on streetpunk has to offer. It’s not just about the rhythm and shouting choruses together, but also about the melodic side of their music, which gives the songs a character of their own.
Lyrically, Fitz move between Saturday football, getting pissed with friends and an ironic take on the corporate world. What I like about their approach is that alongside the pub-and-football atmosphere, there’s room for a critical view of the world around us. The result is streetpunk that doesn’t take itself too seriously but doesn’t settle for a few generic slogans either. And that combination works for me.
The album was released in a pressing of 100 copies on red vinyl and 250 copies on yellow vinyl. Both colour variants also come with their own matching sleeve designs, so collectors have something to look out for as well. Fitz from Belgrade have done a solid job with Absolution, delivering their own distinctive take on streetpunk. If you’re into mid-paced rhythms, melodic guitars, rock’n’roll influences and choruses you can shout along to with the band, this album is well worth checking out.
TOP TRACKS: The Pitch The Glory; Absolution; Creepshow
