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 entire opening track. This atmosphere is echoed in the album’s inner sleeve design, which follows the aesthetic of the Mendeku Diskak label and leans more towards black metal than Oi! in visual style. Musically, though, it’s fast-paced, high-energy Oi! punk with powerful gang vocals pushing the choruses forward.

Contra features eight tracks, seven sung in Spanish and one in English (Estoy en Contra). The album never feels repetitive — just when you might expect a recycled riff, there’s a guitar solo, a gang-vocal break, a vocal effect, or a moody interlude. What I appreciate most is the consistent quality across the board — the record holds together incredibly well as a whole.

Lyrically, the band avoids light or cheerful themes — quite the opposite. These are harsh critiques of social conditions and politics. A working-class protest against poverty, inequality, and misery, with a clear rejection of politicians across the spectrum. Condenado (Condemned) is about how being born into poverty can push people toward a life of crime. Cotidiano Villero (Everyday Life in the Slums) tells how poverty, drugs, and life on the street destroy young lives. Batalla Diaria (Daily Battle) describes how poor people without education are condemned to do exhausting labor. Librepensador (Freethinker) attacks both the political right and left, Regreso del Verdugo (Return of the Executioner) is about revenge, Caída del Imperio (Fall of the Empire) takes aim at politicians, Enemigo (Enemy) targets the president directly. Estoy en Contra (I’m Against) is a statement of pure opposition to all of it.

It’s frustration with society transformed into a musically powerful album — 20 minutes of pure energy born from rage.

The booklet includes all the lyrics in Spanish, You will have to translate a song sung in English by ear.

Top tracks: Regreso del Verdugo, Cotidiano Villero, Batalla Diaria

BANDCAMP: https://warthogspeakrecords.bandcamp.com/album/fuerza-bruta-contra

SPOTIFY: https://1url.cz/IJacm