Since this is going to be my first article here, I’d like to make clear that I’m not interested in the past. I don’t try to be pugnacious, saying that it’s insignificant or something, I’m only interested to see how its understanding and influence is being translated now. That’s why I’ll choose 10 new records that made an impact on me recently. Mainly because I believe they’re going to give more meaning to my words. Also, I’m not one of those people that believe that politics and music are separated. Taking that in account, I’ll always try to write about stuff that is trying to think outside of the “art”-box. (Following order is random.)

 

Tragedy – Fury LP Tragedy The 4-piece from Portland doesn’t need an introduction. Their distinct crust/hardcore sound continues relentlessly after all these years being absent. No surprises here, although it contains one of the best songs in their discography, “Kick & Scream”.

 

 

 

Chain Cult – Isolated Dark post-punk, chorus infused, played with a hardcore attitude and reminding Portland’s revival scene (The Enstranged, Arctic Flowers, etc).

 

 

 

 

cold i – Άνθη Γκρεμού Dark post-punk as well, but drawing from a different background. Homage to the firsts of the English scene while being soaked in Athenian poetry.

 

 

 

 

Σκοτοδίνη – Σκοτοδίνη Post-punk again it is. Way faster and caring some oriental (?) influences from foggy Ioannina. Recorded and mixed 100% DIY by the band at Studio From The Down of Antiviosi Squat. Congrats. Experiment succeeded.

 

 

 

IDLES – JOY AS AN ACT OF RESISTANCE A new band that earned my appreciation with just two records in the last year and a half. Refused talked about “the shape of punk to come”. Well, here it is. Or better, that’s what Queen would sound like if they were punks.

 

 

Birds In Row – We Already Lost The World One of the most popular emo hardcore punk bands of our time and not in vein. The French continue with another crushing full-length the way we’re used to while renewing their recipe and becoming accessible easier to a wider audience.

 

 

 

Coilguns – Millenials  The Swiss innovate upon the legacy left by Breach with one of the most sophisticatedly irritating records of the year.

 

 

 

 

Gouge Away – Burnt Sugar  Because almost nothing is random, here we’re dealing with the child of Pixies and Minor Threat. Raging vocals and chord progressions to-kill-for that hardcore punk definitely isn’t used to.

 

 

 

Mass Culture – Primal | Ephemeral  Here, they’re distancing themselves slowly from the post-metal sound they were know for while embracing their more hardcore side with more immediate, faster and darker songwriting. You’ll catch somewhere in Athens with a new line-up for sure.

 

 

 

Ragana / THOU – Let Our Names Be Forgotten (Split) Because two is always better than one, here we’re dealing with a torturous and atmospheric collaboration on US soil by Ragana and THOU. Blackened sludge played by the genre’s best.