Reo is a streetpunk band from Andalusia, and Con Dolor is their third entry in the discography. First came the 7″ Sobre Las Ruinas in 2022, followed by the LP La Malca Maldita in 2023. Con Dolor was released in 2024 through a collaboration of European labels Contra Records and Tough Ain’t Enough.
Reo deliver intense streetpunk at mid-to-fast tempos, driven by thick arrangements and a strong, dominant vocal. The lead vocals are perfectly reinforced by sing-along gang vocals in the choruses, pushing everything forward and amplifying the powerful impact of the band’s sound. Musically, they combine elements of streetpunk, Oi! and hardcore, wrapped in a distinctively dark atmosphere — at times reminiscent of Bergman’s The Seventh Seal. Fans of La Inquisición on the more punk rock side of the spectrum, as well as bands like Castillo or Fuerza Bruta leaning closer to Oi!, will definitely find something to love here.
The LP features 11 tracks sung in Spanish, lyrically revolving around darker, poetically expressed themes — perfectly matching the mood of the record. I saw Reo live in Prague this year, and they managed to transfer that atmosphere to the stage flawlessly. The lyrics are intelligent and give plenty of space for imagination, which I always appreciate — it lifts the band up a level in my eyes. Sure, in Oi! I sometimes enjoy straightforward bands with aggressive themes, but here you actually get room to think — Reo draw shadowy stories rather than shouting clichéd slogans. Overall, this seems to be a strong trend in many recent bands from Spain and regions currently belonging to the Spanish kingdom.
As for a quick rundown of the tracklist: Furia is a perfect opener with a steady build-up. It’s followed by the dark Beso De Judas, the driving title track Con Dolor, and the intense Inocente. Side A closes with the anthemic En La Batalla — exactly the kind of song you put on when life feels tough and everything seems covered in darkness.
Side B kicks off with Leviatán, the most punk-leaning track on the record. Then comes my personal favorite, Pinturas Negras, followed by the strongly arranged Redención. Condenados carries an anti-militarist message, leading into a short instrumental interlude, La Belleza Oscura. The closing song, Ultímo Resorte, is more laid-back in tempo and built around powerful vocals.
Con Dolor is a record with consistently high quality — no filler, just strong tracks from start to finish. Honestly, I don’t get why Reo aren’t talked about much more, because based on their work, these guys truly deserve it. Grab this LP while you still can — you might regret it later if you don’t.
TOP TRACKY: Inocente, En La Batalla, Pinturas Negras
Bandcamp: https://1url.cz/HJIe3
