Straightjacket Nation - Self Titled MPL

THE RETURN OF...

"Forming in 2004, Straightjacket Nation (featuring members of other important Australian bands such as Pisschrist, Total Control and The UV Race) have long been considered by many to be among the best that modern hardcore has to offer. Whether rearing their ugliness live or remaining underground and birthing releases sporadically, Straightjacket Nation absolutely DESTROY - undeniably deserving the cult following they've earned over the years, and the cult is alive. 

2017 sees the release of the second Straightjacket Nation LP. Intimidating and foul, ridden with feedback, lurching and slamming, screeching and boiling over. There's no hint of youthfulness here, instead lurks a fearful incarnation of hardcore punk at it's darkest and most foul. One moment disciplined, the next a sprawling chaos. Straightjacket Nation stands alone, a horrible entity carved out in stone. Mean. Strict. Remorseless. Vengeful. Harsh. SJN. 

File between GAUZE 面を洗って出直して来い , POISON IDEA Pick Your King era and LIP CREAM great hits."

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Grotto - Manic Evil EP

"Grotto is a word most associated with caves, caverns and subterranean activity. 

Appropriate to the new MANIC EVIL 7", it also contains the word grot. GROT-TO! Underground filth! Dig deep and expose the rivers of pus and detritus that flow beneath the Melbourne streets! 

Grotto erupted, rode a wave of frantic activity, of constant live shows, the release of the PINK SOCK CS and recording of this 7". Their presentation reimagines thee ancient crossover of hardcore punk and thrash metal: flying V and leather, glam chains and exposed flesh. 

Their songs behave like a bereaved drunk one moment, stumbling around in an evil haze, and then the next, a whip on the whip and an explosion of manic activity. This dynamic between dumb blunt forceful mashing of your mind and the thrill of speed is what you need to make your fluids flow. 

The thrash metal tinged drug punk of PINK SOCK recalled the last phase of the REATARDS when Jay couldn't decide if he wanted to write catchy pop songs or venomous hardcore songs. MANIC EVIL spits more venom, a more realised expression, a mood of intoxication and bad intentions."

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RECKLESS AGGRESSION - 2nd Demo

"a long time ago in a land far far away, 4 guys created a second demo tape that never saw the light of day... until now few have ever heard or witnessed the strength of street knowledge... Re Mastered in Boston. Delivered to you by the tail end of Melbourne skinheads."

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Helta Skelta - Beyond The Black Stump LP

Personally I'm very stoked about this release, the band was my first ever blogspot post since this blogs inception and somewhat of an influence in starting this blog, the band is doing a US tour next year, so rejoice with this contemporary Australian punk BANGER.

"Helta Skelta is the newest face of Australian punk - there I said it. Granted they already have an album and a few singles under their belt, Beyond the Black Stump sounds very different from previous outputs and believe this is the album people have been waiting for them to write. It's hands-down their strongest batch of songs, and the recording does them complete justice. The various elements of this album have always been there, swirling in the soup of varied influences and ideas these guys soak in, but this album smacks of a band getting its ducks in a row. In particular, Jon's vocals have mellowed from an earlier, more aggressive hardcore delivery into a brilliantly snarky, deadpan, sardonic drawl that draws easy comparison to EDDIE CURRENT SUPPRESSION RING or X. The guitars are tight, choppy and bright, the bass and drums pin the beat down with straightforward but rock-solid rhythms."

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The Uglies - We Are The Uglies CS

"The best Australian punk release since The Victims' single 'Television Addict' " - The Uglies

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Soma Coma - Dust LP

"Latest in the Cool Death catalogue, SOMA COMA rip through eight tracks of unparalleled rage on this debut long player. At it's most basic "Dust" is a tightly wound hardcore record that goes straight for the throat, rarely cutting loose. Upon further listens, SOMA COMA reveal a bit more in the mix, from the feral rasp of the vocals to the atonal guitar flourishes reminiscent of groups like Die Kreuzen. As the title track winds side B to a close, SOMA COMA slowly turn things loose after a smashing ten plus minutes of HC abuse. Recommended to those familiar with the outer-spaced hardcore of recent Australian groups like Straightjacket Nation, Gutter Gods, and Velvet Whip. SOMA COMA's "Dust" will crush your basic sensibilities and then keep crawling back for another 'go."

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Dribble - Lovers EP

"Dribble slap on this single three cuts of fine Clevo proto-punk worship (think of Electric Eels, Rocket From The Tombs and such), distorted through the lense of a peculiar Australian perspective. It's less of a messy affair than their previous output but nothing short of great."

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