Intimidation are a band from the USA that we’ve already featured on the zine through our review of their Total Aggression maxi-EP. The five-piece outfit features a dual-guitar attack, and this new release delivers a total of six tracks. The record was released through a collaboration between Try and Stop Me Records for Europe and Mister Face Records for the USA, with a limited pressing of 500 copies. In my previous review, I mentioned the band’s ties to the hardcore scene. Since then, I’ve learned that bassist Keith also plays in Maniac and Restraining Order, so it’s worth adding that detail for the sake of completeness.
Intimidation play Oi! with occasional hardcore influences and pick up right where they left off on their previous release. While the songs on the first EP felt slightly more aggressive and straightforward to me, this time the band seems to have found a more melodic approach that suits them well. Across six tracks, they deliver more than a solid dose of honest street punk, with lyrics rooted firmly in the perspective of the American working class. Social criticism is present throughout, yet the band avoids falling into simplistic slogans or cheap political grandstanding.
The record opens with the title track Cheap & American, a fast and energetic opener that recalls the best moments of their previous release. Next comes the more playful Blued Steel, where both guitars complement each other perfectly and showcase the band’s strong sense of melody. The third track, Battle Fatigue, is probably the most hardcore-influenced song on the record. Here, Intimidation draw most heavily from the spirit of 84 Oi! style, not only in the playing style but also in the overall atmosphere and vocal phrasing.
Side B kicks off with Obsolete. It’s hard not to draw comparisons to Stars & Stripes here, as both the musical approach and the vocals bring their classic material to mind. Whether intentional or not, it works extremely well. In fact, Obsolete is my personal favorite on the entire release and, without question, one of the album’s strongest moments. The melodic direction continues with Stabbed In The Back, driven by an excellent chorus, while Violent closes out the record on a strong note, sounding slightly rawer and more forceful than the two tracks that precede it.
Lyrically, Intimidation take aim at the modern world and its values (Obsolete), American politics and social conditions (Cheap & American, Stabbed In The Back), as well as themes of violence, frustration, and personal conflict (Violent, Blued Steel). It’s also worth noting that all of the lyrics are included with the release, which is always a welcome addition.
Intimidation clearly know what they’re doing. What you’ll find here is a more mature sound than on their previous release, a strong influence from classic ’84-style Oi!, and, above all, a collection of very well-written songs. The result may be a somewhat understated record, but it’s all the more convincing because of it. Firmly grounded in real-life experiences and concerns, this is one of the stronger releases currently coming out of the American Oi! scene.
TOP TRACKY: Obsolete, Cheap & American, Stabbed In The Back
