LP´s

 

First Attack – No Escape LP

 

A great record. I was hooked from the very first single that came out. The vocals are simply gripping, and the show in Prague proved that it works just as well live. I already want the next album. My most-played record of the year.

Toy Tiger – Meow Sabotage LP

 

The biggest surprise of the year for me. The album is incredibly diverse—on first listen it feels like five different bands randomly taking turns. But somehow it all fits together, held by a hard-to-define force that keeps it cohesive and makes you want to play it over and over again.

Lions Law – Evermore LP

 

A classic effort. The band sticks to their proven, functional style. Oi! with everything it should have—and something extra on top. Viktor is a charismatic figure and his voice can really pull you in. The occasional detours into other styles don’t feel calculated; they naturally fall into place.

Lazy Class – The Dawn to Come LP

A Polish Oi! mainstay. The album keeps up the level of quality we’ve come to expect from the band. The track Ruski Mir is an absolute killer and leaves no room for pointless debate—some things just need to be said clearly. Another very strong moment is City That Once Died. Lazy Class know how to find powerful themes and deliver a clear message.

End It – Wrong Side of Heaven LP

A full-on hardcore assault with a touch of thrash seasoning. Staying true to hardcore tradition, the band delivers a strong message about moral and ethical responsibility—the need to do the right thing even when you’re fighting on the wrong side of heaven. Nobody tells you what to do. You just know. I absolutely love it.

Sympos – To The Dogs LP

An album that’s very diverse yet instantly recognizable. It keeps me engaged from the first note to the last. Lyrically spot on as well.

Kong Kong – Gorilla Anthems LP

A compilation presenting a cross-section of the work of these Swedish ape kings. Great, time-tested music gathered in one place. Plenty of original musical ideas, irony, and humor. And the gorilla universe as a bonus.

The Skinflicks – Condemnation, Inevitably LP

Old love never rusts. I first got into this band about twenty years ago, and a few of their hits have stayed with me ever since. I welcomed the new material with joy, and it’s even better knowing they haven’t lost any of their biting irony.

The Underdogz – … Für Immer! LP

Classic German Oi! punishment. Heavy-duty music without apology, yet still able to grab you by the heart. Their live performance at Punk and Disorderly was among the very best the festival had to offer. I love that uncompromising atmosphere.

Spiritual Cramp – Rude LP

 

 

An album coming from a slightly different place, but one that completely grabbed me. Lots of layers, lots of moods, but always with a clear face. It reminds me of The Clash—not musically, but in terms of feeling. And live? An absolute blast. The singer throws energy everywhere and it’s obvious he truly lives for what he does.

EP´s (7″, 10″)

Prorva – U cieni impieryj

The band just works for me as a whole. A mix of Oi! and post-punk with a dark Eastern edge, lyrics that make sense and deal with current issues. The artwork, the band’s story—everything falls into place and works perfectly.

Razorblade – The Old Guard

A legendary band and great Oi! music. Aggressive, with an unmistakable vocal style. And after all those years, shows, and screw-ups, you start to see yourself as part of the old guard too. We’re still here—watch out.

Still Defiant – Wild Boar Rock’n’Roll

 

Skinheads playing rock’n’roll—fast, sharp, and every song has a hook that sticks in your head and makes you come back for more.

Paveway II – New Wave Skinhead

 

Oi! and synths. Lots of synths. Something that sounds completely different—strong post-punk influence, but still aggressive and dirty music. I like different things, things on the edge, things that stand out. This one really does it for me. And as a bonus: interesting versions of Blitz.

The Hostile Ones – Not Like You

 

A simple and aggressive mix of Oi! and hardcore. If you feel like punching through a wall, put this on. Straightforward, hard music that doesn’t pretend to be anything else. It works perfectly in a small club, where the band knows how to unleash hell.

The year 2025 is behind us, and from my point of view it was a great one. No major disasters or tragedies in my personal life—quite the opposite. We’re doing well, the kids are becoming more independent, smarter, and more capable, and we’re handling the crises that come along. But that probably doesn’t interest many people.

From a musical perspective, the year was absolutely outstanding. For several years now I’ve managed to keep my promise to attend at least two shows a month—and this year I exceeded it by a wide margin. I went to Oi! and punk shows in three different countries. I saw legends like Patti Smith, Sex Pistols, Sham 69, and Cock Sparrer, as well as bands from my formative years that shaped me—Loikaemie, Non Servium, and Hard Skin. Add to that current bands like First Attack, Reo, The Hostile Ones, Fléau, Badterms, The Enforcers, and tons of others in cities like Berlin, Vienna, Prague, Dresden, or even Nepomuk. When you write it all down, what you mainly feel is gratitude. Thanks to everyone who organizes these shows and makes them happen—and to everyone who shows up.

The biggest thing that happened on the scene this year is, for me at least, the creation of the online TIGHTEN UP ZINE. I’m incredibly happy that it moved from pub talk to something real and functioning—and that I can be part of it. When we started, we had no idea how big it would become: daily news, over fifty reviews, and fifteen interviews within half a year. Writing about music is my favorite hobby, and I’m glad I can do it somewhere people actually care.

And thanks to everyone who occasionally writes: “You’re doing a great job, I love reading it.” Thanks also to those of you who don’t write anything, but simply live this music.

All the best in the new year,
Bedřich

 

LP´s

 

Street Code – In My Flight LP

A heavyweight blend of Oi! and hardcore. A no-compromise attitude and a clearly stated stance. That’s exactly what this Toronto crew represents on their debut full-length. I’ve always had a soft spot for this heavy-duty style, and right now it’s thriving in Canada thanks to bands like The Enforcers and Street Code. A skinhead band playing music for anyone into flight jackets, hard-hitting sound, and technically sharp anthems. Music that chews you up and spits you out of the pit drenched in sweat. And once it’s over, you want it again.

V/A – The Spotty Herbert: American Oi! Compilation LP

This is an absolutely outstanding piece of work. A printed zine paired with a compilation made up of new songs or tracks that haven’t been released elsewhere. If there’s something worth supporting, it’s this project. Spotty Herbert represents everything I love about this subculture—the way to do things, and how to proudly keep the torch burning. Knowing how demanding it is to publish a printed zine these days, I have deep respect for the author and his work. Even more so because he also put together a vinyl compilation. Every project like this deserves 100% support and respect.

It’s a real pleasure to hear another band from the islands with exactly the kind of sound that first got me into Oi!. The kind of sound associated with bands like The Business, whom I was lucky enough to see back when they still played smaller clubs. Tear Up feel like an apparition from twenty years ago—maybe even further back. Old heroes are fading away, but perhaps new ones are stepping up. Tear Up don’t live off cheap “boots and braces” clichés either; they sing about their own lives and come across as real and authentic.
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Cold Oi! from Nancy. A perfect example of a band that has complete command of its subgenre. A great record full of dark atmosphere, strong melodies, and instantly memorable songs. The French excel at this sound, and Rancœur comfortably step into the world’s top tier here. When it starts raining, I feel like putting this album on my headphones and wandering through an empty city center, sliding across wet cobblestones and soaking up the atmosphere.

First Attack – No Escape LP

Greg Huff has done it again. He gathered a group of musicians around him and recorded a fantastic album. His take on Oi! punk always carries a specific dose of melancholy that makes his projects instantly recognizable while still remaining original. No Escape is without a doubt one of the highlights of the year, and On The Other Side is one of the best songs of the year. I probably spent more time listening to this record than sleeping—and I don’t regret a single minute.

I first noticed Exili through their split with Hammer And The Nails, where they kicked my ass with the track All Hail The New Masters. This year they released this Oi!/street rock album, and for me it’s one of the best things to come out of Europe this year. Pride, a clear commitment to the subculture, and strong songs combine into a mix that proves bands holding local scenes together are the foundation our entire scene depends on. Without them, only a handful of last outlaws would remain. This is the best Europe has to offer this year.

Claimed Choice – Claimed Choice LP

Claimed Choice built a strong reputation in a very short time. Their mix of Oi!, pub rock, and glam works perfectly and already reaches beyond the skinhead scene. They toured the US this year, and I have no doubt they have the ambition—and the potential—to become one of the scene’s main pillars. They’re more than ready for it. France is buzzing right now, with high-quality projects emerging across the board.

An Slua hail from Galway. A political band faithful to punk ideals and damn good at delivering Oi! punk at the same time. They’ve developed a distinct signature sound that sits on the edge of Oi! and punk, yet remains clear and recognizable. One of the new bands with a real feel for strong songs and a solid sense of where they stand. I had no idea what to expect—and the album completely pulled me in.

Brut – MMXXIII–MMXXIV LP

A personal project by Brod Ashmol of Marching Orders and an album that completely consumed me this year. A dark, raw mix of Oi! punk with an almost occult feel that kicked my ass and kept pulling me back for more. It’s technically a compilation, but it includes unreleased material, so I have no problem counting it among the albums of 2025. Anyone who rode in a car with me this year definitely heard this record—because I made sure of it.

The second Irish entry in my Top 10 this year. Punk, Oi!, glam rock—many influences melted into a rich and addictive album. One of those records where I can’t point to a single standout track afterward, but I can recommend the album as a whole without hesitation. It maintains a strong standard throughout, moving from pub sing-alongs to sharp, critical punk anthems. Young blood on the scene, doing things their own way and lighting the path for others.

EP´s (7″, 10″)

Lost Legion – I Hate You Like I Hate The Police 7″

 

An EP recorded a few years ago but only released on vinyl this year. I waited three years for it, and the moment UTG put it out, I grabbed a copy. A brilliant four-song EP from one of the most essential bands around right now. Next year they’ll be back in Europe, touring together with Collaps.

Probably my favorite new band in pure Oi! right now. They released this excellent EP this year, featuring an extremely strong title track. This is exactly the kind of song every band wants as the final number of their set.

The Templars + Castillo – Split Single 7″

 

A split between veterans and new blood. One strong track from each. In the long line of excellent splits released by The Templars, this one ranks among the best. I still owe you a full review—but it’s coming.

A great 10″ from New York’s Smashing Time. Oi! punk with crossover appeal and an old-school sound. Released at the end of the year, with a review coming soon—but this one definitely belongs in my Top 5 of smaller-format releases.

No Time from Pittsburgh deliver a killer mix of hardcore, punk, and Oi!. I see them as a band that’s well on its way to becoming a full-blown cult act. I’d love to see them live someday—hopefully it’ll happen.

Musically speaking, 2025 was a great year. A lot of new projects and bands emerged that actually have something to say, aren’t afraid to mix styles, and don’t rely on repeating empty clichés. Plenty of excellent underground releases came out, and that’s the layer of music that matters most to me. I was also pleasantly surprised by the new Dropkick Murphys album, which I genuinely enjoyed—even though they clearly operate on a different level these days.

I don’t get to many shows, but I did catch a few memorable ones. At the top were The Enforcers in Dresden, which was hands down my show of the year. Seeing Badterms in a small club in Dresden was great too, as were Reo and Tear Up at Club 007 Strahov in Prague.

I feel that even if our numbers are shrinking, this fading tribe can still produce incredible things. That’s one of the reasons I started this zine—to learn how things work elsewhere and to hear the perspectives of people who truly live this music.

Finally, I want to thank Alex from Try And Stop Me Records, who helped me enormously with many things and whose support I deeply appreciate. The same goes for Dan from Street Rat Records and others. Thank you also to all the bands for the interviews, that’s the most interesting part for me.
Alongside the bands, it’s the people running labels who hold all of this together. I’m grateful for everyone who’s doing something. Pick up a guitar, bass, or drumsticks and start creating.Misantroop