Brighton, London, Manchester, Vancouver HELL CAN WAIT – 2023 EP (self-released) Formed in 2021, Brighton’s HELL CAN WAIT’s emotional, hardcore pummelling comes fully formed. “(Hell Can Wait’s) lyrics tackle a wide range of themes, from personal struggles and resilience to societal injustices and the human condition. (Their songs are) a call to action, encouraging listeners to confront their inner demons, challenge the status quo, and find hope in the face of adversity.” After slowly trickling out tracks, HELL CAN WAIT finally unveiled the full EP at the end of 2023. Yeah, I know we’re well in ..read more

irate interjections, angry exhortations Formed in September 2014, THE BABY SEALS “emerged from a pub chat in Cambridge among Amos, Kerry and founding member Jaz, sparked by the idea of creating a band that humorously explores the challenges of everyday female experience.” A pandemic and maternity leave conspired to pause their momentum but they’re back, with the follow-up to 2017’s self-titled EP. We all know how it’s gonna end, he’s gonna come in our face Yawn Porn THE BABY SEALS set the blunt, feminist bar high on opening track Yawn Porn ‐ think THE SLITS if they’d wrote garage-pop nuggets ..read more

Go! Driven by a desire to spread positivity and constructive ideals, Straight On View aims to leave a lasting impression on the punk landscape. Messages of unity and understanding through their music. “The most important things I took from youth crew were having a positive outlook and being constructive with your thoughts and actions.” – reflects Eliot. “If we want to change things, we have to bring people together and break down the divisions between us.” butchered from band bio/promo Philadelphia hardcore crew STRAIGHT ON VIEW – named, presumably, after either ..read more

salty sonic tributaries Sydney, Australia’s post-avant-art-rock-baroque experimentalists (I made that up) follow up 2021’s ambitious The Castration Of Gods album with… ‘Harbour Century’ is a manifestation of the odd personalities Eunuchs encountered in Sydney and the truthfully ambiguous stories they’ve embraced. Lead singer Linus Hilton recounts: “I went to a fortune teller who urged me to release 55 minutes and 55 seconds of impressive music within the next year for great luck over the next 55 years.” Motivated by this revelation, the band embarked on 55 d ..read more

getting emotional with snuff I ain’t got all my peace of mind At least I’ve got some I’ll always carry a spare There’s always more to come I’ll chuck my lucky legs in my baggy shorts Stroll up the hill and have a chat with Byron Chat about sepsis on a sunny evening It’s a never event and you’d never believe me Charabanc From cheeky cover versions, Chas ‘n Dave-style knees-ups, classic punk melodies, and sporadic hardcore blasts, SNUFF have carved out their own singular style over the last 38 years. The addition of Hammond organ and brass added a touch of class, mind. Buffing up those elements ..read more

deconstructed screamo, Italian style Sanremo, Italy’s URAGANO (translated: Hurricane) have been quietly percolating through their underground scene over the last ten years. This debut album follows several EP’s and a split single. “LP1” stretches the canvas of vectorial post-hardcore, painting with broad strokes of deconstructed screamo, post-metal accents, and electronic shards. It’s a record that refuses to simply blend genres; instead, it decontextualizes each element, reassembling them into a cinematic experience that shifts and twists with each track. The lyrics weave an amalgam of daily ..read more

blood, guts, ‘n hooks inspired by guitarist Dickie Allen’s most recent struggle with blood clots. Named after the Sheffield hospital ward where Allen recovered, the track delves into the emotional aftermath, touching on themes of survivor’s guilt and the fear of mortality. Recorded at Nave Studio in Leeds with producer Andy Hawkins, “Hadfield 5” captures the raw essence of Allen’s experience. The lyrics, including the line “my lungs won’t fill up till I drink the poison,” provide a stark reference to the medication used in treating blood clots – often also found in rat poison. from promo Ver ..read more

late, later, laterer Bands and labels: for a more in-depth review, get ’em in early. Like, weeks/months before release. Otherwise, they get lost in the morass or a brief write-up. Here’s a few of the latter. THE VAXXINES – California Screamin’ EP (CDC Records) Oakland, CA’s THE PATHOGENS included the prodigious TILT vocalist Cinder Block in their ranks, as well as Jesse Luscious (GRUPS, BLATZ, CRIMINALS). When THE PATHOGENS splintered, shedding Cinder and Jesse, the remaining members (including ECONOCHRIST‘s drummer Markley) recruited a new singer and bassist. Enter THE VAXXINES. Given that s ..read more

the passion of the Christ(ian) …though we never became a well-known band outside certain small circles, that part of our life is something so precious that I could never imagine living without the experience. These things are unforgettable for all of us. These ecstatic moments of connection between musicians and audience. That feeling of being young and invincible, of being able to accomplish everything you want. That most people outside of a small corner of the international DIY punk scene will not have heard of Späth’s bands, isn’t the point of This Is My Everything. This is a book about ..read more

animal magnetism The animal names given to the tracks correspond to ethological comparisons. I wanted to confront human and animal behavior through subjects that touch me, others that scratch, by means of observation and sometimes self-criticism. In any case, I don’t claim to have an informed opinion on society or politics. After all, I have no political leanings whatsoever, and absolutely reject all extreme character. Vincent, vocalist and songwriter I’m always a little non-plussed by declarations of apoliticism. Politics is intrinsically linked to every aspect of existence, so total abstent ..read more