This is the debut album by The Reapers, originally released in 2019. I missed the original version, which was released as a collaboration between Rebellion Records and LSM Records, so I picked up the 2024 repress, released solely by Rebellion Records. This version came on silver vinyl and contains an intro plus fourteen tracks. Compared to the original release, it also includes one previously unreleased track from the original recording session, making this reissue worthwhile even for those who already know the original album.
The Reapers, from Utrecht and Rotterdam, play Oi! punk at a truly high international level, and that needs to be said right at the beginning. What you get here is a first-class dose of subcultural firepower from a band that, in my opinion, ranks among the best things the current scene has to offer. The Reapers were formed by musicians who had previously played in Discharger, so these are not beginners but experienced players who know exactly what they want to say through their music.
It feels like the band produced this set of tracks almost effortlessly. They all move along at a great pace and together form a strong and cohesive record. It’s catchy, the guitars are sharp, the rhythm section drives everything forward, and the strong singalongs create the atmosphere of a pub after a victorious Saturday match. The Reapers know how to write a song – build it around a melodic foundation, gradually drive it towards a powerful chorus, and then spice it up with guitar solos. They use this formula repeatedly here, and they do it extremely well. Although the result is music that’s very easy to listen to, this is definitely not simplistic or primitive Oi! punk. Behind the catchy surface, you can hear a well-thought-out and carefully developed sound, complemented by a strong working-class attitude.
The album also works very well as a complete record. Individual tracks have their own character, but they fit together naturally, so the album never feels like a random collection of songs. The Reapers don’t try to impress the listener with unnecessary complexity. Their strength lies primarily in how well they combine melody, energy and straightforwardness with quality arrangements. This is exactly the kind of Oi! that, in my opinion, works best live, where strong choruses and memorable guitar parts need to immediately connect with the crowd.
The Reapers build their lyrics around working-class life, and I wouldn’t for a second question their authenticity because these are struggles that the vast majority of us face. Every now and then, I come across people online who try to present the skinhead scene as a fashion runway for overpriced brands. Their attitude is basically: “Buy the right jacket for hundreds of euros and come sing with us about how we’re a working-class crew.” The combination is actually pretty ridiculous, but it obviously works for some people. I most often see it connected with certain forms of casual football culture.
The Reapers, on the other hand, capture the everyday problems of working people that we all know: distrust of politicians, a miserable position on the labour market even when you’re doing work that is desperately needed, football, alcohol as an escape from everyday life, relationships that have gone to shit, occasional violence, experiences with the police, and all the other problems that come with working your ass off every day and trying to keep things together. This isn’t some abstract idea of working-class life, but rather a collection of things that are much simpler and, at the same time, much more genuine.
That’s where I think one of the album’s biggest strengths lies. The Reapers don’t use Oi! as a costume or as some kind of museum piece from the past. They take the classic ingredients of the genre – melodic guitars, strong choruses, energy, singalongs and themes drawn from everyday life – and turn them into a record that feels both contemporary and authentic. A great album from a band that has plenty to offer, and one that shows exactly why well-written and well-played Oi! punk will always have its place.
