After three self-titled full-lengths—very helpfully labeled KÜKEN I, KÜKEN II, and KÜKEN III, I fully expected KÜKEN IV when word got out that the band was recording new music in their St. Pauli bunker. Turns out they were feeling extra picky this time around, only committing their absolute best material to tape. That high bar resulted in Palermo, a crushing four-song EP that wastes exactly zero seconds.

Alien Snatch! Records underline just how hard this thing rips by pricing the 7” at €6.66, which feels appropriate. Drop the needle and your first instinct is to crank the volume. Bare-bones guitar riffs hit immediately, heads start nodding on their own, and the momentum never dips. No weak tracks, no filler moments, just a full-on quadruple A-side. If you care about garage punk rock ’n’ roll, this one’s an essential grab.

I still haven’t caught KÜKEN live, but with Wild Wax working on a European tour, I’m keeping my fingers firmly crossed.

Add to wantlist: Bandcamp