Asta Kask - Handen på Hjärtat (CD Review)

Asta Kask
Handen på Hjärtat

(CD, Vinyl, iTunes, Spotify)
2013

Review made from listen to CD and Spotify.

Before the release of the first Asta Kask studio record in seven years they warned us, some might be disappointed in the new direction this record will take. When Asta Kask say they will move in a new direction it might be laughable to most bands, because the new direction is done in millimeters not in kilometers. It´s so far from the Clashs new sound on every record you can get. It is parts of fractions of it. But the small changes feels like huge steps in the Asta Kask Universe. So consistent they have been. It is all there like before, the over distorted guitars, the fluid bass guitar swimming in the sound waves of the guitars, fast drumming that seems like it all over you ears and the razorblade voices. But something is different, a bit more melodic a bit more Trallpunk with its influences from Swedish folkmusic.

First tune is ”Världens räddaste land” (The Worlds most scared country) a spokingly, up to date, song about US foreign policy that generates more fear in the USA than security. Right from the first bar, it is like they want to build up this catchy tune with a dramatic intro riff to be a tune to last. I can feel they want to make both an classic Asta Kask record as well something new. The last they confirmed in interviews close to the release. There are tempo changes that we heard in “AB Böna och Be” for instance. The song is maybe a bit less angry and aggressive than expected. The whole record is, in comparison with the record before “En för alla ingen för nån”. And that is almost my only negative criticism about this record. It could been a bit more desperate and a bit less beautiful. Because in the second tune “Låt dom inte komma in” the lads seems like they wanna show that they can sing in a beautiful manner, the tune isn´t living up to normal Asta standard. Not that it is bad in any way. But Asta standards to me, is world class. The third tune “Sista Brevet” seems like it have borrowed some from big arena skate punk. That isn´t an A+ in my Asta Kask reference book. Not a bad tune but…well you get it. The same goes for “En Bättre Man”….WTF, have their hanging out with Mimikry resulted in Asta trying to sing in that Swedish folk music Trall punk manner that don’t suit them at all?  Song 5, “Folkets Armé” (People´s Army) is a rather silly tune about the Russian revolution and how it come to fail in an oppressing Communist dictatorship. If I wanted to be mean I would say they borrowed that tune from Sabbaton, but I am not a mean guy, am I? And fuck me if not that tune crawl under your skin after a while, and it will slowly possible make it all the way to the ones that I like.

Now on to the good stuff.

“Vredens Barrikad” (The Barricade of Wrath) is possible the Punk hit of 2013, WOW this is WHAT Asta Kask is about. About all the bitter and let down people that takes it out in street riots. One rock for every dream that disappeared. Wow, this is punk poetry at its best. It is beautiful and clever written. A tune that I can´t get enough of.

Then another history lesson tune, “Död åt er alla” (Death to you all), Think Robespierre and you will get the message. Not bad, it sticks after a few listenings.
After that, a tune that lyrically could be sequel, a part two, of last records “Än finns det hopp” (Still there is hope) but in this tune there is just a sad end. “Fredagsmys” deals with the subject of domestic violence. A rather sad and disturbing story, taken from any family where the man is beating the woman behind the closed doors. In this case witha lethal outcome. The song then ends with a catchy message to women to break away from men like that, which also makes me think of this song as a development of “Lasse Liten”. The cult classic tune of the bullied boy “Lasse” that in his desperation of being accepted dies in a car crash in front of them all. The oppressed that tries to get a piece of the cool. The rather childish, ironic but funny conclusion of “Lasse Liten” in the lalalala part is made much more mature in “Fredagsmys” but just as catchy.

En “Annan Väg” is a bit too Trallpunk to be a true Asta but it is good anyway.

“Jag Är En Idiot” is taking the album into the Asta Kask inferno of everything they are as band. It is like they climax here. Fast and furious, this is Asta Kask.

The closing “Tack För Allt” is good tune but way to much Trall-inspired to be at the end of this good second half of this record. At least according to my Universe.

All over this is a good record. Not as good as I hoped for, but I rank Asta Kask as one of the top bands in the world so bear that in mind. Still it is, so far, one of this year´s top records. And I am glad that Asta Kask sounds like Asta Kask and not followed The Clash way of totally change their ways.

Worth buying? Yes, One for your home, one for your car. 

The singles of Tim Timebomb a kind of review or something part 1 of 2

The singles of Tim Timebomb and Friends, a kind of review or something…Part 1 of 2
Part 1. The sad Part
Year of release, 2013

(Review made from listening from Spotify)

Rancid have been one of the most successful punk acts in modern times. Since the success with “…And Out Came The Wolves” album it seems like the band been trying to find the formula of success again. But not found it. On their spare time the key members Armstrong and Frederiksen trying on their own doing stuff to keep the fun and spirit alive. The Project Tim Timebombs and Friends isn´t anything else. Somewhere down the road Tim came up with the idea to make everything they recorded as a single. Haha, not funny. I guess he will collect it on an album later. Tim Armstrongs own little “Sandinista” if you so like. And I thank the music Gods that it wasn´t Rancid who did it. If Curt Corbain threw his copy of The Clash “Sandinista” in the wall, did I sit down and listened to it (Possibly why he is a music legend and I am not), or at least, tried to listen to it. Some of Sandinista is ghastly, and some of Tim Timebombs stuff are to. But not all of it. So here is the first part of my listening to all the singles published on Spotify. Which resulted in two purchased songs, Rocks Off and Browned Eyed Girl.

Arrested in Shanghai (2013)
Tim Armstrong cover himself in a layback acoustic version that ad some to the rather odd Rancid tune, after two listenings I like it.

Crazy man Crazy (2013)
A slow Rock a Billy tune (once recorded by Bill Haley) that you easily could laugh away as a joke but for some reason it sticks and I listen to it with some joy.

Go Lil Camaro Go (2013)
A silly little low produced Ramones tune that don´t make it. It didn´t made it to the hearts of the Ramones fans. In fact it was like Ramones did a parody on themselves. Tim felt he had to do a sloppy version of it…well what can I say…

Let Me Go (2013)
Acoustic and laidback, not your typical Rancid hit song but not bad at all, especially for moments of solitude. Here Armstrongs voice comes to its right.

Not to Regret (2013)
Acoustic and rhythmic Nick Cave type of arrangement, with a feeling of film noir in the lyrics, in the city of sin. But this one I think would benefit a lot from being a bit better produced

Nothin´ Shakin´ But The Leaves On The Trees (2013)
Possible a homage version to the great Johnny Cash in a rather Cashy smoking version. But the Original version with Eddie Fontaine as well as the covers with the Beatles and Billy Fury is to prefer-
Its charming in an innocent and cute way.

Rock This Joint (2013)
The 50ies vintage sound of this 50ies style of boogie woogie Bill Haley tune that get me in the feeling of being in a club somewhere in America back in the days. There is not much Tim Armstrong in it.

Rock With Clock (2013)
“Rock with the Clock” is pretty much as “Rock This Joint” but not as good or as cool produced.

Sittin´ On The Dock Of The Bay (2013)
Sorry to say that Tim Armstrong just destroy the Otis Redding tune, sounds like he is full of some chemicals and I wish I never listened to it.

To have And To Have Not (2013)
A sloppy and poorly produced version of the Billy Bragg tune that his Rancid band mate Lars Frederiksen have made to one of his big hits. I wonder why on Earth did he do this to himself. It makes him look like a total dork.

Black Derby Jacket (2013)
An OK acoustic version of the Rancid tune that was rather poor produced in the first place on the rather fucked up record “Rancid (5)”.

Dope Sick (2013)
One of Rancids classic tunes, here in a unplugged version like you can sometimes can hear Rancid playing in records stores etc.

No More Glow in the Moon (2013)
Out of tune and I wonder if he started to hang out with Pete Doherty.

Sittin´and Thinkin´ (2013)
A bluegrass tune that could been made by the Bad Seeds not to be mistaken for the 50ies Little Jr Parker and Mephis Slim hits. It´s hung over and slow, and a bit depressing…

Wild about you Baby (2013)
Distorted slide and piano in a honky tonk blues. Can´t help it but the head ace have sneaked upon me at this point. Why did you do this to me, to you and to us all? He is singing Good bye I hope I don´t see you no more, and I get the message.

Ain´t no Good Time (2013)
Thank God for a better produced tune. A reggae tune that isn´t bad at all. Not a classic but fair enough.

Do What You Want, Do What You Can (2013)
Possible is that cool to say to someone, but in reality…nnejaoouww…don´t do this at least. Hard to describe this shit song and its crappy production. Hipster shit, Possible.

Gentleman of the Road (2013)
Here Tim Armstrong climb back into the cellar where Nick Cave dwells. Not a bad tune. Not bad at all.

Love Is A Many Splendored Thing(2013)
Have nothin´ to do with that old cheesy tune. This is a straight “I hate you” punk tune played acoustic.
It´s not very fun in any way.

Protest Song (2013)
I protest! Why do you do this. It´s just Painful for us all. Acoustic and pointless.

Rocks Off (2013)
WOW FINALLY! Tim Rocks Off the Rolling Stones Exile on Mainstreet hit. In a ska version that’s makes me jump up on the floor for some bootstomping and skanking. Wow I didn´t see this coming. A GREAT VERSION. A must buy!

Turntable (2013)
A tired version of a Rancid tune that was sloppy produced in the first place.

Alone With You (2013)
A little Country maybe? Not at its worst but I don’t get it, why?

Browned Eyed Girl (2013)
Tim seems like been awaken on his best side and did a ska version of Van Morrisons classic hit. It is a great version of a great song. A must buy!

Guitar Polka (2013)
And Al Dexter country tune from the past. YOU ARE KIDDIN´ME, YOU MUST BE?

Hard Travelin´ (2013)
A Woody Guthery tune also covered by Pete Seeger. But…for fuck sake leave the country to Social Distortion that knows what to do with it.

Let My Love Open The Door (2013)
Must be an all time low of the Who´s Pete Townshead in the first place. Why do you Tim do it?
But Tim makes the tune a million times better than the original.


Isn´t it depressing? Be calm, there will be some light in the tunnel in the next part.

Klägg - ...lika opolerade som då... CD Review

Klägg
...Lika opolerade som då...

DIY Album on CD
(Review written from listening to the CD)
(2013)

It is unpolished and rather rough. The rather lo-fi, DIY album of Klägg, “…lika opolerade som då…” (…just as unpolished as then…) is pretty much as the album title claim, unpolished. It is both good and bad. The lo-fi production is not glorifying them in any way, Ill guess it´s like it was in the good old days when Klägg was founded (mid 80ies). And that is good, like a historic look in the mirror. But that is not the whole truth, because this is a really The Clash inspired pop/rock punk record with a bad sound. That is too bad. The songs deserved a bit more professional production. OK, the lads started the band when it was OK not being able to be great. But today bands are great. And so should Klägg be as well. The songs are excellent.
I think I can discover the marks of Turbo Hellman, drummer and song writer in DERBY STHLM and guitarist in Klägg, all over it. His love of the Clash can be traced in every song. And I wished they had put that into the production as well, instead of trying to sound as they once did or what they try to do with the rehearshal room punk sound.
Another bad thing is the singing isn´t as desperate it could be, to make this a great record. If you sing I hate you (Jag hatar dig) then you should sound like you´re really upset and full of hate. Give the singer a few punches in the nose to get him angry the Sex Pistols way instead of a pat on the back.

The songs are great. So well written, so full of classic punk rock. So well played, so full of “IT!”.
Some songs remind me a bit of Psykbryts, and still with an air of old Swedish 80ies punk “Vi hatar dig” could be on the next Psykbryt album.
Best songs? “Abdikerad” is a song that one of the best on record this year, where they quote Gen X/Billy Idols “Dancing with myself” in a very playful way. The closing “Sista Festen” is another pearl with a Clash/ Rancid vibe. “Rika barn leka bäst” is however in mine opinion lost in the mix, it could be a great summer hit, but is lost in the lo-fi production.

Should you buy this? Why not? Even if it isn´t perfect it has its punk qualities, very catchy and strong melodies that makes it for them.

Alonzo Fas 3 Album Review

Alonzo Fas 3
Alonzo Fas 3

(Spotify, CD, Vinyl)
This review is made from listening to the CD.

Michael ”Micke” Alonzo was one of the singers in one of the original Swedish 1978 punk band KSMB, a band that reached a whole generation of Swedish youngsters and gained some mainstream success as well. At the height of their success Micke Alonzo annoused that he would quit to become a “Pizzabagare” (work in a pizza restauran.) I never got the nerve to ask him about the truth in it. A few years later he was back in Stockholms Negrer and got the neo nazi movments enemy #1.
And when they quit he been into politics, advertising, doing Tv and been writing books as well as he owns a law firm. But I could tell he was really tempted to be back on stage singing. After a failed attempt to reform KSMB he got together with a bunch of guys from bands like Hellacopters, Refused and Nomads etc. A Swedish punk supergroup you might say. Fas 3 as they named them self. It has a double meaning, both it´s is Alonzos third phase (fas) in music as well it is a very unpopular unemployment program launched by the Fredrik Reinfeldts right wing/liberal government.

I followed the band during a series of live concerts during last year. And the crowd was really there for the old KSMB and Stockholms Negrer tunes. In between the band sneaked in some new Fas 3 tunes. I can admit that sometimes I hit the bar or went to the bathroom during some of them. As well I wasn´t too impressed with the singles during 2012.

I have gotten some inside info on the record in advance during the process and it all claimed this was going to be a great record. And so...Now it´s here!

In the first track “Det bästa som har hänt” (The best ever happened) they speed up the Sympathy for the Devil verse chords in double speed and go for a knock out. The song is about all of us punks that in the seventies did our thing against all odds. And it grasps my heart and my spine in a way a record do when it is something extra. Wow, they got their low-fi sound right on the record that never really worked in the shadows of the KSMB song live.

after the up tempo opening they go on with “Ett meningsfullt liv” (A meaningsful life) and it is from my POW the perfect song as the second song.

3rd track” Matilda”, a mainstream down tempo pop song that could been on a recent Bruce Springsteen album or something. The single left me stone cold. On the album after the two faster tracks it fits perfect. Here it is in its right element and I find myself humming it ever now and then.
And now I listen on the lyrics and it´s dark undertones.

Ismer is a track where Alonzo  is giving the boot at all –isms that he is really fed up with. Feminism, Liberalism, Communism, Nazism and whatever ism there is. Here his son Ali* helps out in the chorus. OMG, it´s not a long time ago my kids did play with toy pirates with him. Well times fly.

Then the record moves on in a perfected balanced way to be a record that is close to a masterpiece. Alonzo Fas 3 has nothing to be ashamed off and with this record the band takes a step out of the KSMB shadows to shine on their own. Infact it is a candidate to be crowned the best record this year by 1,2 FYPR.

 The slow “Varför skulle jag bry mig” (Why should I care) is one of the real highlight on this as well as the ballad “Inte ett ord till” (not another word). “När du inte är med” (when you´re not around) reminds me of a punkish the Doors etc. The closing cocktail jazz number “lyxbegravning” (Luxury burial) performed as a drunken after party jam closes a perfect circle of songs that shows that the album format is still working like it used to do, even in a time of clicks and internet restlessness. In fact this album is important to define the greatness with Alonzo Fas 3 and confirm their existence.

Overall, this record have all the balls, bollocks and mojo as well as honesty and strong melodies played by the super group Fas 3 to become one of the soundtracks this summer. And I´m not shure that I have discovered everything there is to discover on this record???


Worth buying? Hurry it´s already a classic record, not least because Petrus Vavami  / Micke Alonzos stylish and clean record cover.


* Michael Alonzo have written about the struggle to have the right to be the father of his son Ali in the book “Ge aldrig upp”.

Dropkick Murphys - Signed And Sealed In Blood (CD Review)

“The Boys Are Back” was the first song of the Dropkick Murphys new album “Signed and Sealed in Blood” I heard. I thought it was fair then, not more. I thought it was a bit too Jolly and sentimental in a comic book manner. But the song grow with time and today I really like it. Then it was Christmas time.
“The Season Upon Us” is a more sentimental Christmas type of song in the tradition of the Pogues classic “Fairytale of New York”, possible the best Christmas song ever made after silent night. Anyone that steps into that territory are out on deep water, first I was skeptical, then it was clear to me if someone going to  do it, it was going to be the DKM. Actually I think they did it quite beautiful.
Now that was the eventually hesitation of this records are done. On to the Gold.
Tunes as ”Burn” and ”Rose Tattoo” I can probably already dub as classic DKM tunes. Backed up by the rest set of songs, especially “My Hero”, “Out of the Town” and “Out of our heads”. There are no dull or OK tunes on this 12 track album, which makes this a right through good record, possible at the end of the year might end up as one of the pearls of this year. This years perfect CD for your car either your are cruising in the sunshine looking for chicks or going to work.
Definitely one of the best Dropkick Murphys records ever made in competition with “Sing Loud…” and “Do or Die”.


Worth buying? HELL YES, buy one for you old man, mother in law and best friend as well. 

Review - The Hyper Actives - Rock ´n´Roll lives Again!

An X-ellent cover by Mattan Arts.
Mattan Arts

The Hyper Actives are a Stockholm based band in it to restore the former glory of Rock´n´Roll. And to be able to do that they have to transform them self to 1960ies Marvel kind of comic book characters.
This could been a nonsense joke, by a bunch of lads trying to be funny, but!!! There are some sad things about the world of music today, that gives their comic book fantasy mission a legacy IRL.

They ain´t alone in their mission, The Australians in Airbourne are on to the world in a similar operation. And soundwise the Hyper Actives are in the same genre as Airbourne with some elements of early Hellacopters. If I didn´t knew that this was a HA record and heard a song on the radio I would certainly believe that it was either Airbourne or a previously unreleased Hellacopters tune caressing my ears. 

Is that a bad thing, you might ask? That they sound so similar to the two band mentioned. Definitely not, at least not on this record. In fact, where the Australians tend to be a bit the same all over the three piece Stockholm band never turn dull. The are a lot of both musical knowledge and Rock´n´Roll romantics in it to make it be a really listen friendly record. And when Hellacopters gave up, the The Hyper Actives picked up the banner. A perfect record for the car stereo on the high way to hell. All the songs are good, catchy in a Hyper Active way. The two Strongest tracks are the two opening tracks “The Promised Land” and “Rock´n´Roller Man”, The opening tune “The Promised Land” deserves to be a huge radio hit. But it ain´t and that proves them right in their mission.  Finally, Yes! You made Rock ´n´ Roll live again!  

Turbonegro - Sexual Harassment CD Review

Turbonegro, the Norwegan mad men that invented their own genre, death punk, and got fanantic followers all over the world that label themself Turbojugends, have released their first full lenght CD after their singer and front man Hank von Helvete´s departure. Few established bands have survived the departure of their charismatic singer and front man, such as Hans Erik Dyvik Husby (as his real name is spelled), even fewer with such an established character as the fat bellied junkie, von Helvete. But the rest of the band decided to give it a go. 
And the result is the record “Sexual Harassment”.

Last night saw the release party of their new CD, Sexual Harassment at a hotel in Stockholm. With their cover illustration as a huge banner on the hotel exterior, the band shows that nothing will be spared on this release.
In todays Swedish edition of the news paper Metro the new singer, the Britt Tony Sylvester said that he respect Hank too much to do a bad imitation of him.
So the good mister Sylvester have a hard task to convince the world, and the Turbojugends, that he are the new singer of Turbonegro.

The new singer Sylvester know his Turbos, he´s been a Turbojugend and their Brittish press spokes person, so it seems like he is in the game. On the other hand, being an egocentric singer and a fan is a huge difference.

But Turbonegro is far from a singer and a support band. The band has it´s defined way of playing. Not that it is too original in any way. But it is still their sound and that is the joy of it. But I can´t help find traces of the early Hellacopters here (when they were a really good band) and rock n roll grove ala Diamond Dogs. But a bit more dirty, and heavy. The new singer gives the band a rougher sound at the same a more polished way to present themself. Because the insanity of Hank von Helvete no one can copy. The Metro (Sthlm) reviewer didn´t thought of it as a real Turbonegro record, It is possible it is not (Im not a Turbojugend so who am I to tell) but it´s still a good record. Over all the Swedish reviews been pretty positive and the web edition of Gaffa don´t miss Von Helvete one bit. Musically I agree, mythologically I don´t. The hard, rocksy death punk tunes are catchy both in the sound and the tunes itself.

Best song? Hard to say, it´s over all a good record that have a bunch of good tracks, but the “Shake your shit machine” tune have a real Turbonegro title so I might mention it.

Worth the money? Yes!  

CD Reviews, Mimikry, The Dräperz, The Lowlifes and Nitad

Mimikry - Monster
Best songs; Monster, Inte ens du
2012  Krypton Records/ Sound Pollution

The opening track, Monster, that also are the title track is at first a bit too commercial and soft for my taste. But after a few minutes I accept it as a hit song, In fact I convert from my first impression, it is a smashing good song.

The lyric are personal on the verge to self centerism. But I can live with that because of the strong chorus and the Playfulness with the words.
I blogged it before, in their worst moments they sound a bit like Nordman, at their best like Bad Religion. This is no exception on this Monster record. In Inte ens du they combine what I mean. The Bad Religion like chorus gives me shivers down my spine. All songs have strong and catchy melodies which makes even dull tracks like Utan Dig at least listenable.

The sound is professional and heavy. Mimikry is one of the bands that can keep it both fast and heavy. No wonder why the drummer is called Heavy (sorry a bad joke). The guitars, the bass and the drums gives the singer Hjalle a sound armada from which he can go  on a self reflecting journey on any open sea.  

The cover art; Mimikry have had some of the history of punks uglier covers. So this a step forward. But I can´t help it, it looks a bit too professional so it lacks a bit of that punky feeling.


Should you buy this record? Yes, if you into a more mainstream sounding punk or rock.

The Dräperz – Välkommen till Råby (Welcome to Raby)
Best song; Välkommen till Råby
2012 D.I.Y. records

The Dräperz 4 song EP Välkommen till Råby is a speedy, fast and furious EP. You seen it before, you heard it before but still it´s good, it´s getting me in a good mood.

The cover art is a classic cut out letters placed over a fade out photograph of Råby centrum (a dreaded suburb of the City of Västerås). But for this record it is so right. As many of today´s Swedish bands they mix Swedish and English lyrics. The in Swedish sung Välkommen till Råby could easily fit on an old Asta Kask EP. The sound is raw, its fast and both angry, resigned and ironic. It stand out in a fresh way. In fact at the moment I can say I find the Råby song one of the best released up to date in 2012.

The sound is not perfect but fair enough to match the good songs. The songs are tight and fairly fast. The other songs, Dräperz, No Future, The End don´t reach the heights of Välkommen till Råby. That even in the bass intro makes its mark as a modern classic Swedish punk song.


Should you buy this record? Yes, Yes, YES! Every Swedish punk should have one.

The Lowlifes - TV Addiction
Best songs; TV Addiction, Violence
2012 Club Underground

Thin k 1982 and the rise of Oi! There you have The Lowlifes but 30 years later. It´s sounds both as an Oi! nostalgia band, crust like and hard core. By the look of the band members the Oi! Influences seems strong. But this band is tighter in their playing than their presumed role models, but lack the older bands strong and catchy melodies. If I should associate it with a classic record I have to say it´s a better sounding version of GBH´s City Baby Attacked by rats.

The record is pretty fair, not the best and definitely not the worst. The music is tight and fast. I like the aggression in the playing but the fast tempo is in the long run the weakest link. They ever ongoing speedy music makes it all sound a bit the same in the end. The best is when the chorus is sung by all in the band as answer to the claims of the singer as in TV Addiction, du är and Violence. The Last is one of the strongest on the record even if I like the opening tracks Career Dreams and Det Brinner as well.

The Cover art, well it´s not a masterpiece, in fact it´s so non-communicating I would not give shit by this record in a record shop. Now I bought it at the concert. But still the cover doesn´t give the music the push “Buy Me” it is supposed to.

The sound is far more better than the older Oi! Records, but according to today´s standards it has a bit more to climb, to reach the height of the perfect punk sound. Possible it could be done in the mixing, but also the guitar sound could be a bit more processed if I may say so.

The Lowlifes mix lyrics in Swedish and English and are very angry. But I don´t really get what they are angry with. Like so many fast punk bands it´s like they angry out in the thin air. It´s part of the genres, but I really would like to have something to hook it up on. Unlike many Swedish  contemporary collegues these guys are no victims, they are angry and they will tell you. And that can´t be wrong.

Should you buy this record? Definitely if you into fast punk and Oi!

Nitad – Rastlös och vild ( transl. Restless and Wild)
Best songs; Rastlös och vild
2012 Morningwood Records

Watch out here comes the sonic tank brigade, slowly rolling and now they are speeding up! Run for your life or least your ears. The new Nitad CD Rastlös och vild isn´t something for the weak of heart or your grandpa to have as car music. It is quite painful to listen to. It´s like a roaring thunder coming at you with razor sharp edges (how is that possible, a thunder to have edges?). The Swedish Hard Core band Nitad really don’t want to be called Hard Core, mostly because they pick influences from other genres. On this record you could hear that, live it´s harder. They have understood that the fast and slow tunes, in combination, makes it more dynamic and makes all songs not sound the same. Otherwise the singing style, or primal scream like song (not the band, the psychology meaning of the word) don´t allow too much variation of the songs. That is a sign of intelligence, an intelligence that hide behind the hard and aggressive surface.

It´s painful for your ears, totally unpolished on the verge to amateurish sometimes, which I believe they are not. It´s supposed to sound this way. The way the singers voice don’t fit with the roaring thunder in the background makes it both interesting and annoying. Possible another mixing would made me like it a bit more. I probably got this wrong anyway. To me it reminds me of old late eighties bands like Big Black and Tad, but so much faster, harder and noisy. It like they found all the buttons on the mixer that made it unsmooth. These guys wanna hurt you ears seriously so run, run like hell otherwise you will end up there.

The lyrics are furious and simple. Instead of play some songs in Swedish and some in English they mix in the songs, and even made up their own Swenglish sentences like, Fuck Hela Världen, which makes it funny in all the dark misery they sing about.
I didn´t like the cover art at first, mainly I got association to any puberty punk band that wanna say fuck you to the parents, but it fits the record in it´s insanity. The psychedelic black and white comic art made by someone that seems like spent his days in a psychiatric ward is very significant for the record at large. This is not that is supposed to be easy to like, you have to earn it.

Should you buy this record? If you ever wanna brag about a record you own to prove that you into bad ass music for real, this would probably be one of them.