In Review: Last Chance

In Review: Last Chance
Name: Old Dogs
Tracks: 8
Running time: 31:34 min

I've first heard Last Chance few years ago in their brilliant split with their countryman from Thumbscrew where each band was presented with 5 songs. 

As I'm a huge fan of the well-played and melodic skinhead rock'n'roll I was looking forward for a full album from this promising band from Spain. So, what can I say... they haven't disappointed me at all! 

This debut album is a big step forward for the band. The sound is more "matured" and professional, the lyrics have more variety of topics and even some personal matters like nostalgy and getting old are on the bill.

All the lyrics are in English, which in my eyes is a huge advantage for a band from Spain. Although I love the native language, it's a bit hard to understand the core meaning of the lyrics beside my knowledge of 100+words in Spanish. I would be happy more bands have songs in English.

For the "trained ear" of a music lover and audiophile the synchronic work of both lead and rhythm guitar is a guarantee for a professional work and enjoyment! 

The album was recorded between Spain, Portugal and USA in the summer of last year. My credits goes to Sergio for providing me with the copy of the album. This man is one of the main "motors" behind the Spanish scene in the last years, he's involed in multiple bands and you can find the very interesting interview I did with him in 2023 HERE.

The CD comes in a two-panel digipack as a co-production between Askania and OldSchool Records. A nice designed booklet with all the lyrics is included as well. To sum it up- a top notch album which will be a great addition to your collection!

In Review: Violent Impulse

In Review: Violent Impulse

Name: Violent Impulse 

Label: Kick To Kill Records

Country: US

Format: Cassette

Release Date: 2024

Tracks: 3

 

This cassette arrived in a care package I had eagerly awaited, and it was definitely worth the wait as it's right up my alley!

The tape features the demo album of the American band Violent Impulse. While there are no track titles, the artwork makes an impression. The DIY vibe definitely adds to the gritty feel of their music.

The cassette has two sides, each containing the same three songs. 

Violent Impulse emerges from the depths of the American underground, bringing fresh energy to the RAC and Oi scene. Their debut demo is a raw, unrelenting punch to the gut - exactly the kind of intensity we've been waiting for in newer releases.

The standout for me is the vocal delivery - gruff and unapologetic. The fast rhythms and hard-hitting lyrics create a sound that truly feels like an impulse, driving you toward violence.

If this is just the beginning, expect to hear a lot more from them. Keep an eye out - these guys are here to make their mark!

Check them out on Bandcamp. You can listen to their song “Time" here. If you’re interested in buying the tape, contact Kick To Kill Records - kick2killrecords@gmail.com. 

 

Review by thekriegx

In Review: Forward Into War

In Review: Forward Into War

Name: Fighting The Demons

Tracks: 13

Running Time: 41:08 min

The next CD review is for a band from a distant Australia. What can I say... Great old school sound, reminiscent of 90s revival Greyzone Oi! in the vein of Closea Shave and early Section 5. In other hand it reminds me a bit of T.M.F. (Hello, Jonesy) as well, because of the very 'British" sound. In fact, the singer Mick is actually English so this explains a few things. 

My absolute favourite is track #4 "Barbed wire, razor blades" which I believe will catch you ear instantly. You can hear the track right here

In a matter of a fact the whole album is uploaded on Youtube, but please don't show yourself like a "you know who" and support the band and the label by buying the actual CD or LP.

The CD comes in a 3-panel digipack and with a booklet with all the lyrics and could be ordered directly from Askania Productions

In addition you can check in their interview for the Boots and Braces web zine HERE

In Review: Thumbscrew

 

In Review: Thumbscrew
Name: Pride of Pain
Tracks: 13
Running Time: 40:43 min

Another Spanish band to be reviewed, as you know well I like a lot this scene. Thumbscrew already exists for 11 years as this is their second full length album, and they also have a split with Last Chance.

As for the music it is a powerful skin/street rock with melodic solos and singalong tunes. All the songs are in English are in English, so they can reach a vast majority of the listeners.

The second track of this CD “Bad Mother fucker” could be easily mistaken with a Dropkick Murphys song, but our boys are a way much better than those posers.

There is also a brilliant cover Motorhead’s “I ain’t no nice guy” with a brand new arrangement.

My personal favorite track is “Saturday night” which is so catchy that you gonna play it over and over again and sing it loud…Saturday is not for dancing, Saturday is just for fighting. 

YOU CAN WATCH THE VIDEO RIGHT HERE

The CD comes in a 3-panel digipack and with a booklet with all the lyrics and could be ordered directly from Askania Productions

In addition you can check in their interview for the Boots and Braces web zine HERE

In Review – Nemini Parco

In Review – Nemini Parco
Name – Kaos
Style: RAC
Tracks: 10

As you may know, I'm a fan of the Spanish scene, so it’s a pleasure to write down a review for a band from this country. The album consists 10 singalong tunes, all sung in Spanish, with lyrics about European history, national pride, freedom and good times with friends and comrades.

The singer Alex has previously been involved in another band called Irminsul with which he had one demo “Le hora de la venganza” in 2008.

With Namini the sound is much more solid and polished, and the band has definitely used a professional studio for the record.

Speaking from my own experience, as I saw band live performance at their gig in Bulgaria, Nemini Parco is worth to see both on stage or buy their album.

I'll leave here the first and the best track of the album - "White Guetto", just to set an example for the band's creativity and to make you all sing loudly... Ooooooooohh, White Ghetto Family... A hymn for the Nationalist European Skinheads!!!

In Review - Faustrecht

Name: For the love of Oi!

Label: Oldschool Records
Style: RAC&Oi!

Tracks: 13   

Oi! Oi!... I’m glad to present the latest album of one of my top favourite German bands. It comes not long ago from their previous cd entitled “Straßensozialisten” (or Street Socialist in English). Not much political/ social issues in this one, but mostly songs dedicated to way of life, having fun, beers and fights, charmy skingirls (“Angel of the night”) and forever young skinhead spirit! The other difference which should be noticed with their previous albums is the fact that all the songs (except one in their native tongue) are in English. In addition you have one “anti drugs” track ("Fly Away"), plus two cover versions of classic tunes such as “Bank Holiday” (by Indecent Exposure) and “Someone’s gonna die” (by Blitz).The cd comes with a 16 pages booklet in a true oldschool design. “For the love of Oi!”- you gonna love it for sure!!!    

P.S.  As some of you may know, this year is the 20^th anniversary of the band. So as an information in advance I can tell you, keep an eye (and ear) on Faustrecht… you can expect something very special from them within 2014… The spirit is alive…fur immer und ewig!!!

In Review - I.C.1

Name: “Loud and Proud”

Label: PC Records

Style: Rock’n’Oi

Tracks: 13

After their great debut cd “Out of Control” from 2009 the English/German RAC combo is back with a bang. A great pack of 13 brand new songs in the very same spirit of catchy and fast rock tunes with even a touch of saxophone in the intro of one of the songs. The lyrics are dealing with everyday life in the modern sick society, corrupt medias and politicians, football violence, booze and glory and the memories of the good old times “when skinheads rule OK”. Compared to the first album the sound of this one is not that rough, but I can still nominate songs such as "Rule O.K.”, Best of our Times", “No beer Here” and “Skinhead girl” for a future everyone favorite’s anthems.

What I can state as a minus is the booklet of the cd – both from the bad quality of the printing paper and low pixelization of the images displayed inside as well. Despite this you can find all the songs lyrics plus a Statement from the band concerning some important issues which need to be clarified. 

The information in advance to all the IC 1 supporters is that the bands 3rd album is starting to take shape and has a working title of 'We are the Boise'. For all of you who like to be up-to-date with the band’s activity you can follow them on IC1 FaceBook page at: IC 1 Fanpage

At last but not the least - don’t hesitate to buy this cd and support one of the last bands who stick to the true skinhead sound!!!

In Review: Posol Vlasti

Name: Pred ohnivým drakom

Label: Self - released
Style: Nationalist Rock

Tracks: 12

Posol Vlasti or “ Messenger of the Homeland “ are a brand new band of the well known Slovakians from Project Vandal. The cd contains twelve tracks including a ballad all in their native language. It’s very well played rock music, up to the level of mainstream bands. A lot of powerful and singalong tunes like “Este stale lipa stoji” and “Slovanska krv”. In some of the songs, solos and whole leading rhythm reminds me a lot of the legends of Viking Rock – Ultima Thule which is a quite remarkable fact. From what I understand from the common Slavonic words, lyrics deal with topics like national pride, strength and unity plus some historical backgrounds. Sixteen pages booklet with lyrics in Slovakian included. In my opinion the design and contents could be much better, like some band photos plus lyrics translated in English. All in all it is a really good album from a really god musicians!!! At last but not the least, I would like to thank Rado for sending me a copy of this cd.

In Review: Les Vilains

Name: Skinhead Family Label: Pure impact records
Style: RAC/Oi!
Tracks: 13

Long awaited album after few years of silence from the Belgium Oi! combo. We great the usual great music and lyrics plus a bit more…in some of the songs are used some guitar solos from earlier recorded demo with Dieter Samoy (RIP). So because of this fact I have the feeling that I listen to a perfect mix of “Kill baby Kill” genius music supported by the strong vocals of Les Vilains singer Suck. What can we say about the lyrics … all of them are in French, all of them come from the heart, especially the song dedicated to fallen band members “Dieter and Oliver”. I can also highly recommend my favourite “L’homme le plus riche du Monde” (The Richest man in The World” written for the daughters of Suck and of course “De Kastelein” - a song to remember the “good old days” in the mythical skinhead pub in Bruges.

All the rest songs are second to none, so dear readers don’t hesitate to get a copy for your collection from Pure Impact or other distro, this is a 100 % obligatory item! For all those who will download it instead, I can only say: You are nothing but a bunch a wankers, queers and kikes!!!

To sum it up – I love this album. This is the epitome for the music of the SKINHEAD FAMILY!!!

In Review: Bound For Glory

Name: "Feed the machine"
 Label: PC records
Style: Metal/core/
Tracks: 12

Who would have thought that Bound For Glory would ever record a new album? Their last ones "Hate train rolling" and "Last act of defiance" date back to 1999 already. What we get is a pure metal sounding Bound For Glory, much like on "Hate train rolling", and while I am not a fan of metal at all, I was very impressed by this album: the sound and production quality is second to none and so is the song writing. This is Bound For Glory at their best, and it easily compares to any mainstream metal band out there. Joel's typical vocals and vocal style are still prevalent as are Ed's riffs. The album features lots of catchy tracks, the new BfG anthem "We are!" and the excellent ballad "The beast". The lyrics are very personal, not very political at all and far away from all cliches. Like a good old wine, Bound For Glory has gotten better over the years!

Reviewed by Pure impact recs.

In Review: Tar Had

Name: Demo 2008        

Label: Bunker records 

Style: R.A.C.

Tracks: 7

This is the debut work from this Budapest based band. Tar Had keeps to the roots of good old Magyar Skinrock with a bit of harder influenced tones. Thankfully (for me) the band didn’t follow the massive new wave of “one year lasting” Hate core bands which appeared like mushrooms after the rain in last few years. The demo contains seven songs, one of which (Odin es Thor) also took part in “BHS crew” compilation cd. Quality of the sound is pretty good for just a demo recording, same like the skills of the musicians and singer, so we can expect much more in the future. The cd-r comes in simple cardboard box, with no booklet, in limited edition of 300 hand numbered copies which makes it attractive for the collectors of DIY stuff.

The good news coming from the band is about a brand new album coming (probably) by the end of this year. Info in advance is that there will be cover of non famous Skrewdriver song from their punk period.

Thanks to Tomi for the free copy of the cd, keep on doing the good job with the band.

Skinhead Magazine (in english) # 6

Another piece of great work from the Spaniards. Inside you can find the second part of the interview with Flemmish finest „Lions pride“, touching some very intersting topics about religion, history, literature, etc...The next on the content are Sassem bootboys from The Netherlands – not the typical skin band, but still good enough for listening, haveing in mind that Tim from Brigade M is their vocalist. Big space of the zine pages are dedicated to Sons of Europe Fest, a report about an event you have read in our web blog just few days after the show. It was nice personal memories for me to remember those great moments in Hungary.
In addition you a brief interview with young Italian band Nessura Resa and article presenting the history of Primera Linea from Spain. On the back cover of the zine you can see a wonderfull pic telling us the simple rule of the zine...“Made by Skinheads...for skinheads!“

Skinhead magazine (in english) # 5

With a bit of delay here comes the 5th issue of the English edition of “Skinhead magazine”. The zine shows good progress in inner design and layout, which I hope will continue in the future. Inside you can read bunch of quite interesting interviews, two of which: SPQR crew (Italy) and Antisystem (Russia) are taken by the author of this blog. Other bands featured in this issue are Feldherren from Bavaria /once again :)/and Spanish finest Invictos which you already know from our pages. Polish one man RAC project “The Invasion” is the next one – the guy behind it Kuba puts some light on the situation with the local scene and also about his future project called Brotherhood in which are also involved Graham from Avalon and good old Ken from Brutal Attack. The interview that grabbed my attention was with Lion’s Pride members. Alongside with the standard questions about their music, the lads are answering very deep and detailed on the political and historical sides concerning their beloved Flanders. The “Flemish question” is almost unknown for many comrades and it’s really exciting to learn about it. The second part of this interview will be published in the next issue of the zine due to the limited space in this one and I’m really looking forward to read it. In addion there is a report from Brazilian Skincore Fest, which guest of honour Bremen legends of Endstufe were… all in all another great issue full of handful information for skinheads. Cheers to Poli for keeping the skinzines on paper alive!!!

In Review: Cellule 23 "Franc - Parle"

Second album of the French band, after Rock`Haine`Roll few years ago. In this recording band shows a large progress and it’s a pleasure of every fan of old school skinhead RAC & OI to listen to this album. The cd plate looks like a small vinyl LP, which is nice idea used by few labels in last years in order to take the attention to the die hard collectors of Vinyl! The main motive of the front cover – a handcuffed skinhead is almost the same like the cd of another French band Hais & Fiers “Coupabale” which was released just few months ago “Oi ain’t Red records”. Bellow you can hear the top song of this cd “Flicard” dedicated to "beloved" wankers in blue. EnjOI!

In Review: Fehér Törvény

Name: Fehér Törvény - Szemben a világgal
Label: BHS Service
Style: HC/Metalcore
Tracks: 13 + 1

This cd has been long awaited. Four years after their debut cd, and tons of splits and samplers finally Budapest’s finest HC squad produced a new album. For the last few years band successfully moved from harder RAC to hate core style. To be honest this music is not my “cup of tea” but “Szemben a világgal” is really top class and very well worked album. Music is not the typical boring HC, but has some metal influences, melodic played solos and extremely good drumming. I have only one advice: “Maci "haver", it’s time to start to sing in English so you can reach listeners worldwide”. In addition there is great design of the booklet, including all lyrics and many photos (some of them from their unforgettable gig in Bulgaria) and also a bonus song on track 88. For all interested, you can order this awesome cd from: bhsservice@freemail.hu

Vinlandic - German - Croatian Strike Force

Brand new cd from German label Moloko Versand Plus. A 3 side split by KG 23 (side project of Big Ed), Blue Max (Germany) and Strong Survive (Croatia). The cd starts with an intro from KG 23 and tree songs of metal storm played perfectly by Ed on guitar. The lyrics of the songs are dedicated to Croatian history (Ed have Croatian origins). The next pieces of 3 tracks are from Masters of RAC’N Roll Blue Max – they do it in their typical own style, a top favorite for all the old school skins around. The dessert comes from the countryman of Ante Pavelic. Strong Survive plays basic RAC but even the fact that they took place is this split is big step forward for small but dedicated Croat movement and scene. The booklet contains twelve pages with all the lyrics and some photos.

Below you can hear one of songs of Croats named "Neznanog Junaka" the engish meaning of which is "Unknown brave man/hero"

Die Lustigen Zillertaler - Wir lassen uns das Singen nicht verbieten

After twelve years of silence Zillertaler Türkenjäger are here again. This time under a new name and with new material. The cd contains cover versions of various songs in different music styles – disko from the eighties, rock ballads, Bavarian folk songs…etc. All this all this sang in karaoke-style: a nice and cheap way to record tracks. The voice of the singer is pretty strong (reminds me of Gig a little bit) and all the lyrics are politically incorrect J The title of the album speaks for itself “We won’t let them forbid us to sing”. Actually the band is using the name of an already existing band which does mainstream folk songs…and this fact have put them in very a delicate situation. They have had to explain to the local cops and journalists that they are not neo-nazis and that they haven’t produced this “evil” album The cd booklet is in typical Rock O Rama style -- just a front and back cover. The original cd is pressed outside Germany, but it already has had two bootleg versions made of it in the Fatherland.