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]
Too much, just too much damn good music this month. I kept adding releases to this month’s wrap up. And I didn’t even include that surprise Turnstile EP, because you are already listening to that one, right? Like always, it’s an international gathering of sorts, including bands from North and South America, Asia and Europe.
Bootlicker || Bootlicker
Bootlicker is a disgusting name and their sound is equally filthy. This self-titled LP by the Canadian band sure ticks all the boxes of this monthly feature though. Short, fast, loud. Check! Check! Check! It’s a 14-songs-in-20 minutes mash up of street punk and hardcore that will hurt your ear drums and kickstart your heart.
Community Gun || Target Practice
Solid 4-song cassette by this classic hardcore band from Denver and Seattle on Convulse Records. I kinda like how the vocalist is constantly playing catch-up with the music.
Kovaa Rasvaa || Tasaluvulla Tulevaisuuteen
Few languages are as incomprehensible to me as Finnish. What I do understand is that this is some great trashy ’80s hardcorepunk.
Las Hiedras || Contradicciones
Contradicciones, the debut album of Buenos Aires quintet Las Hiedras, may have some hardcore tracks, but sax-punk is a better term to explain the band’s sound. Downtown Boys are a logical reference point for Las Hiedras. What a messy, chaotic and exciting record.
Mainframe || Employee / RIP
Goodbye Boozy strikes again with this e-mail band project of members of Research Reactor Corp, Belly Jelly, Dummy, Satanic Togas and Set Top Box. Futuristic robopunk that is delightfully weird and unexpectedly contagious.
Man Dead Set || Too Early To Be Late
O, I like this one. A LOT! Man Dead Set are a melodic hardcoreband from Kuala Lumpur who seem heavily influenced by the guitar work of Dan Yemin (Lifetime, Kid Dynamite and Paint It Black), and by bands like American Nightmare. I absolutely adore the guitar work on this one. Formed in 2018 and featuring members of Krusty, Thy Regiment,Skunkfix, & Always Last Form, this band is ready to make some waves across the globe.
Nailed In || Shovel
Classic Youth Crew in a lyrical and musical sense from Zagreb. Originally released as a cassette in 2020, now available on LP.
The Pack || Hunting Season
Unapologetic straight-edge hardcore from Moscow.
Prevention || What Do You Say No To
Springfield hardcore with an (straight) edge and some groove. Plenty of breakdowns as well.
Repeat Offender || Summary Execution
Repeat Offender plays a style of hardcore that is simultaneously brutal and, dare I say it, accessible? Listen to Inferiority Complex and you’ll see what I mean.
Satisfied || Chasing Progress
Emotionally intense and musically diverse hardcore from Georgia. Kinda like a modern take on Turning Point and I would not have minded the vocals a tad louder in the mix. Hope you get as excited as I by songs like Recycled Passion and Father’s Day.
Snõõper || Snõõper EP
Another winner from Goodbye Boozy Records. Snõõper is a project by animator Blair Tramel with
Connor Cummins (Spodee Boys) providing the robotic beats. Equally weird as great.
Soul Glo || DisNigga Vol. 2
If you’d like to know why Soul Glo is hyped as one of the more exciting hardcorebands, the three songs on this single are a great starting point. Soul Glo’s style of hardcore is unique and their lyrics are honest, without restraint and in your face. The band just signed to Epitaph, which is great because this is a band that deserves a bigger audience
Soulcast || Soulcast
Soulcast are a five-piece hardcore band from London who put their own spin on the groove and melody of Turnstile. Plenty of bounce and oomph on this EP.
Wired Shut || Tomorrow Fades Away
If I’m not mistaken, Wired Shut features current & former members of Slapshot, Hoods, Sinking Ships and The Physical Challenge. With this project they play metallic hardcore that has sufficient youth crew elements to draw me in. RIYL Battery.