The year has barely started and the first 2026 release that landed in my hands comes from V.A.M.17, a band from Magdeburg, Germany. This is their very first official release. They originally put the recording out on streaming platforms last year, but now it has finally seen a proper vinyl edition. The record was released by Punkrock Boys Records as a 10″ vinyl, limited to 150 copies on red vinyl and 150 on blue. It contains four tracks, all sung in English.

I was thinking about how to describe their sound, and the closest reference points for me would be a mix of influences from bands like Brutal Bravo, Templars, Collaps, and Nowitschok. Overall, it comes across as honest Oi!/streetpunk built on strong choruses, solid melodies, and a slightly raw production.

The A-side strongly reminds me of Brutal Bravo — largely thanks to the stripped-down gang vocals in the choruses and the pushed, energetic vocal delivery. Since Brutal Bravo is one of my favorite bands, this clicked with me almost immediately. The record kicks off with the intro of Breakout, a song dealing with escaping everyday routine. The following track, Conquer And Colonize, is the highlight of the record for me. The vocals fit the mood of the song perfectly, and the tempo changes and gradual build-up work really well. Lyrically, it’s a historical excursion into the era of colonial expansion, so definitely a more serious topic than just drinking beer and hanging around the streets.

The B-side starts a bit slower. No Mess, No Fuzz is about how music captivated us at the turning point between childhood and adolescence — the kind of music we still love today. There’s a clear nod to The Last Resort, but it doesn’t sound as rough; it feels more like a blend of the German Oi! tradition and a return to an ’80s-style sound à la Templars. The closing track, One Of A Kind, is more straightforward and punk-driven. Lyrically it deals with the loss of ideals and identity — a classic but still effective Oi! theme.

For me, this is a very solid debut from a new band that genuinely caught my attention. I’m curious to see whether V.A.M.17 will catch some wind in their sails and really take off. I’m definitely putting them in my “bands to watch” category, because this 10″ is a really enjoyable listen. Extra points for including a lyric sheet insert — a small detail, but always appreciated.

TOP TRACKY: Conquer And Colonize, No Mess, No Fuzz