Czech hardcore band Thalidomide have released their first standalone album in sixteen years. The record features ten tracks, written and recorded gradually over the past three years. That long process has also shaped the variety you’ll hear across the album.

It’s still fast, pissed-off hardcore at its core, but there’s plenty of variation: from melodic guitar parts to full-on blast-driven assaults, from short three-minute bursts to longer tracks. The lyrics switch between equally angry English and Czech. Anyone familiar with Thalidomide knows they don’t stick to the usual hardcore slogans. Their words tackle social issues, take aim at current and former political figures, and even throw in references to literature.

The album is available to stream on Bandcamp, with lyrics included. The vinyl edition was released by PHR, and its collage-style booklet gives you another chance to dig into the words.

Sixteen years in the making, ten tracks full of speed, anger and something to say. Thalidomide are back.