Shorter, Faster, Louder (May Hardcore Wrap-Up) || Deficit, Friction Control, Geishas Of Doom, Hounds Of War, Maladia, Reaksi, Regret, Special Branch, Veil II, Weenog

Though the majority of my posts are punk and garage leaning, I also listen to music that push the boundaries and expectations of this blog. I am talking about music that is a bit more extreme in terms of length, speed, and loudness. It’s the kind of music that may scare or disturb some, or met with plain disinterest by others, but I believe are still worth checking out. Each month I wrap-up those releases in one post: Shorter, Faster, Louder. [continues below]

Deficit || Staggering Towards False Light
Short? Check. Fast? Pretty much. Loud? Deafening. Fans of Negative Approach will appreciate this new release on Not For The Weak Records. Your neighbours? Not so much.

Friction Control || Consequences
Gold Coast (Australia) hardcorepunks had a cool new single out this month, but I may actually prefer the single they released earlier this year. That Dirty Feel alone is worth the purchase, and then you discover there are two additional hardcorepunk classics on Consequences.

Geishas Of Doom || Sick Music For Sick People – Vol 1
I recently wrote about the excellent Love Supreme record. Geishas of Doom share members with that band, but that’s about the only similarity. This EP was written and recorded in just one day on a 4-track – of which the band only used 2. To say that this is lo-fi is an understatement. It’s very much its own thing, mixing psych with hardcore and punkrock’n’roll and none of the songs sounding the same. The skateboard gone wrong video for EP closer Nowhere To Go hurts to watch.



Hounds Of War || Rabid March
Hounds Of War have a rockin’ punk sound going on, not unlike that excellent new Neighborhood Brats record but more old school and at lower fidelity. All three songs are killer, and I can’t wait for whatever this band’s band puts out next.



Maladia | | Sacred Fires

This 12″ EP was recorded at Fuzzbrain Studios right before it was damaged by a fire. Correlation is not the same as causation, but given the explosive sound of London ’80s hardcore throwback band Maladia, it’s easy to see why some people see a connection between the two events.

Reaksi || Esok Hari Kepunyaan Kita EP
There is a reason each montly hardcore wrap up includes at least one release by La Vida Es Un Mus Discos (that Maladia EP makes it two this month). That label has a talent for uncovering loud music that’s above average. Reaksi may qualify more as punk than hardcore, as their sound draws heavily from the early stages of British punk. REAKSI are three immigrant punks from Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore that live in Melbourne. The band is heavily political and sing in their native language.



Regret || Regret

Socially aware and politically conscious, Regret are a moshpit inviting old school hardcorepunk band from Hong Kong with two singers who complement each other well.

Special Branch || Lethal Force
Side project of Eddie Kenrick of the mighty powerpop band The Number Ones. Kenrick plays all the instruments on this EP, and his Crowd Control buddy Andy McSharry does something extraterrestrial with his voice over the music that is neither singing nor screaming. There is zero procent pop to the music of Special Branch, but I like it.

Veil II || Negative Space
The album art will increase your heart rate like a medium workout. Two songs in, Negative Space will leave you out of breathe. Intense (INTENSE) hardcore.



Weenog || Weenog’s Tower

Weenog is a weird name, but apparently it’s a friendly goblin from a video game who becomes hostile if you treat him wrongly. I guess someone did exactly that right before the recordings of this EP. Goblin punk from Melbourne that’s just as weird as it sounds.

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