11.2
August 2004
11.2
August 2004
Review Team: (Ali) Ali, (CV) Chris, (DC) Dave, (EF) Ewan, (JW) Jamie, (JK) Jase, (JN) Jon Nash, (LC) Leanne, (LH) Leo, (MZ) Mez, (paco) Paco, (Russ) Russ, (Set) Set, (SC) Simon, (SN) Sneda, (SHY) Steve H, (SH) Stu, (WW) Will
DANDARE uncritical mass CD
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S |
o Dandare have been around for a while playing fast melodic hardcore punk, and this release sees them really nail it, replacing a little of the melody with a bit of discordance. If bands like Tear It Up, Limp Wrist, DS-13 and owt else fast appeal to you, Dandare are recommended. They're not a copycat band though, this little ripper has a different approach to those bands, that makes it sound like Down In Flames covering Born Against or something. Nine songs fly past before you've had time to work out what the fuck has just happened, and the sarcastic lyrics work well, coz the last thing the music deserved was brain dead shout-outs and that. This is fucking neat, go buy it and go see them next time they are over. (MZ)
www.breaksomerecords.tk
info@breaksomerecords.tk
DEAD AFTER SCHOOL / CHRISTIAN BLOOD running out of places to hide the bodies Split CD
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H |
a ha, I just wrote Dad After School, well in 10 years maybe. These lot are pretty young bless 'em, and I recently saw them play at their school to the school kids in their lunchtime! Although the bizarre setting they were mighty impressive I tells ya. DAS play modern sounding HC, it's a mix of melodic punky stuff, some screamo and metal creeping in, and plenty of sing along hooks. I was worried they might get too polished on the recording, but it's mixed well, retaining enough of the grit. The first 2 songs go through the motions, but its track 3 that sets the DAS half alight. "If you wanna fight someone fucking join a gym", amen to that! Christian Blood kick in after a monty python sample, and I'm left very puzzled. I guess they're something between Coalesce and Himsa, and they too get better as the CD goes on, after a really bad breakdown on the first song. If you're a bounty hunter, I think this should be your new work soundtrack. Non bounty hunters may like this too, especially metalheads. Good artwork. (MZ)
Cat N' Cakey Records,
20 Poyntz Road, Overton, Basingstoke,
Hampshire, RG25 3HJ, UK
www.catncakeyrecords.com
DEADSURE from your head to your sacrum CD
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R |
emember back in ’97, Revelation Records released one of those cheapie samplers called ‘In-flight Program’ that everyone and their dog had. It had a range of bands from many eras, but had an overall sound that I associate with this time. The worst song on there was by a band called SPARKMARKER which I always hurriedly skipped to get to IGNITE, as I couldn’t stand the metal, intricate guitars and talky vocals. Well DEADSURE shares the same front man and sounds a lot like it could easily fit on the aforementioned sampler. They’re comparable to QUICKSAND, with a rocky, metal sound and a bit HOOVER in the non-linear, erratic structure of the songs. This meandering structure doesn’t make it anymore interesting, even though this is a 6 track, 20 minute CD; I was bored to tears by the end. I think this sound is very dated and really samey, it wasn’t good in 97 and it certainly isn’t good now. You could only like this if you were a huge SPARKMARKER fan, which is highly unlikely. (LC)
No Idea, P.O Box 14636, Gainesville, Florida, 32604, USA
DEPISTADO The Emergency Response CD
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I |
’m sure on the prairies of Saskatchewan this band are really popular and if I was involved in the scene there I would be seen bustin’ moves in the pit at their gigs. But the rest of the world really doesn’t need to hear their music. Too be fair, it starts off quite promising, a very upbeat number a but like that Mackem band who want to be Q AND NOT U. Their music is very danceable and is a bit SPY VS SPY and AT THE DRIVE IN at times. I think this is the problem, it’s almost too much to have a mish mash of all things art-rock. Oh, it has the quirky beats, screamy vocals and funky bass lines and copied bits from a variety of bands much better than them. But it just doesn’t quite work. Like I said, in the remote reaches of Canada they should be very popular, but everyone else has Q AND NOT U, and can live without hearing this. (LC)
Boss Tuneage, PO Box 74, Sandy, Bedfordshire, SG19 2WB, UK
www.bosstuneage.com
THE DEVISIVE
do
we only dream? 7"
This is dull poppy emo from Finland lacking in originality, angst, tempo or
power. The skull on the cover is remarkably deceiving.... makes it look
'gnarly'. Nope, sorry... Gets a thumbs up for being self released! That’s
cool...(LH)
www.thedivisive.com
DINA Work the Switch CD
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D |
INA follow in the tradition of UK melodic punk bands like LEATHERFACE and HOOTON 3 CAR making delightful pop songs with a sort of gruff tinge to them. This is a good record, the title track is a real standout and I like the strong vocals. However, by the end of the album I start to lose interest, after several listens I still couldn’t tell you what the last few tracks are like. I think DINA are a good band but the problem is they aren’t offering anything new and are never going to be better than any of the bands they were influenced by. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t listen to this, there are some really good songs on here, but it’s just not really essential. (LC)
£6pp from JSNTGM Records, PO Box 1025, Blackpool, FY3 0FA, UK
DOGSHIT SANDWICH Murdering Bastards CD
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T |
hese lot came as a real surprise to me, as like many I guess I'd made bad assumptions due to their terrible name. These are actually good + more varied and faster than I'd expected. Swellbellys meets Oi Polloi, but with less politics. The track Bogmen has a violin on it sounding like a DIY Levellers which was a nice change of pace. It's always nice to see Planet Of The Apes bits mixed in (wasn't the new film disappointing, reimagining my arse!). Recommended for this style (the last song's quite funny too + should be listen to by emo bands before they wirte another "She left me" song). (Set)
Punk Shit Records, 74 Bristnallhall Rd, Oldbury, West Mids, B68 9TU, UK.
D-RAIL soundtrack to a heartbeat CD
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L |
eeds, home of Reason to Believe, 1000 shit indie/grunge bands and 100 great hardcore bands, with D-RAIL being counted among the latter. But hold on, this isn't just another GOOD record from another GOOD Leeds band, oh no, this is a GREAT record from a GREAT Leeds band. With 5 songs in twenty minutes, this makes for a superb mini album from this four piece monster. If you've ever seen D-RAIL live, you'll know how much havoc they wreak, with their own Brand of melodic 'screamo' technical mosh (seriously, think D.E.P meet SAVES THE DAY). This record is awesome, but I have to say, I was left a little disappointed, probably because of the amazing live shows, which would be hard to recreate on CD, and also the absence of some of their better material. Also the mix could have come out a little heavier. I love how it just changes from all out spite to the most beautiful melodies around so seamlessly. The dual vocal parts are great too, with the backups sounding like a good DASHBOARD CONFESSIONAL and the lead sounding like an even bloodier AFTER SCHOOL KNIFE FIGHT. This is the first "proper" release from D-RAIL and hopefully not their last. It's great to have a band that live five minutes away that can compete with any artist of the genre around. Go buy this record; I promise you, you won't be disappointed. This is a truly impassioned and inspirational effort, plus it has a 50 second mid-song sound bite from 'Family Guy' with a piano overture and totally snazzy artwork, great stuff. D-RAIL are fantastic and can be as big as they want to be. (WW)
Way Of The Warrior Records
EBOLA/JINN Split LP
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T |
his is the final release from the stalwarts of the UK scene, EBOLA. Recorded three years ago it has taken some time to get released. Following on from their previous release this is another all out crust attack. This band will be sorely missed. From the ashes of EBOLA JINN has risen. I saw these guys play in Leeds a while back and was really impressed and this split release is equally as rewarding. JINN play heavy-as-fuck down tuned hardcore, but what makes them stand out is the musicianship. The guys mess around with timings and key changes which make them really stand out from other bands of the genre. Excellent (SH)
A-totenschiff, jorg jacoby, saarstr.33. 66386
st.ingbert,
Germany.
FACE DOWN IN SHIT Passing times LP
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A |
strange one this. This US Portland based band veer from a mid paced heavy punk attack [think Born Dead Icons] to God Speed type ambient stuff to slower metallic stuff. Not bad, but I found the vocals annoying after a while and too reverb laden [OK in the ambient bits but not everywhere else]. Lyrics are of a personal/ political nature but nothing that really grabs you, I think they are linked to Crimethinc in some way[?]. Hopefully a band to look out for in future I’m sure. (Russ)
Exutoire Recs, 5134 N Interstate Ave, Portland, Oregon, USA 97217
FALLOUT American anti LP
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T |
his Italian band have been around for ages, and I remember them being in the ‘second division’ of Italian HC in the early 80’s. Actually this is pretty good stuff, mid paced, muscular punk with tough vocals and plenty of tuneage. Lyrics weren’t supplied and they sing in Italian but I can remember this lot being pretty left wing back in the day [and there’s a big red star in the liner notes]. My only real complaint is that the production sounds too clean, which throttles the mix a bit. But this is definitely worth checking out if like me you dig old Italian punk and HC. (Russ)
Area Pirate Records
FEUD battling bastards of freedom CD
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T |
his is the best thing I've had to review, and its not like I've had a bad batch. Thrash punk that's like the mighty Bettercore, so it’s both raging and melodic. The CD covers the span of the now sadly defunct Feud, they lasted 5 years and from this evidence it wasn't long enough. Good socio-political lyrics, complete with explanations or quotes. Feud aren't doing anything new, but it’s done with enough sincerity and passion to feel fresh, bandanas n'all. 5 different labels supported this, as bands from the Philippines don't get all the exposure but it shouldn't be too hard to pick up as there's a French label and 625 put their name to it too. (MZ)
T4C
PO Box 3900 Cpo Manila 1000
Philippines
625 records
www.635thrash.com
Boisleve La Saudrais 35310 Cintre France
coinxxxcoin@yahoo.fr
FIFTH HOUR HERO you have hurt my business and my reputation too CDEP
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I |
’d always written this band off as a third rate DISCOUNT, but a recent live performance convinced me otherwise. Genevieve’s vocals are very Discount-like but are complimented by a gruff male voice that gives the sound a bit more of a HOT WATER MUSIC edge. They really rocked out on stage and produced a happy, vibrant, power pop that stands out due to the strong vocals. This CD contains 3 tracks in this style, with the final track being a really cute acoustic song, which shows another side to their repertoire. Although this is a very Gainesville sound, they are actually French Canadian, which can only be a bonus, in my mind. (LC)
No Idea Records, PO Box 14636, Gainesville, Florida, 32604, USA
FIGHTING SHIT CD
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V |
iking thrash, fast as fuck and over before you blink. Sound like our very own Broken Access, severely torturing Shai Hulud with mic, guitars and drums. Only other stuff you need to know is you should buy this now, they're touring in August and the contact, which is below cockhouse. (MZ)
Hrydjuverk Records,
PO Box 18, 121 Reykjavik, Iceland
FLAMINGO 50 first in line 7”
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T |
his is the first recorded material I've heard by this Liverpool power trio and I was pleased to hear that their live sound translates excellently to record. This EP contains three classy melodic punk pop songs and a couple of agitated, raucous hardcore ones. "First in Line", "All yr Money" and "Shame about Blame" combine the sensibilities of both early rock'n'roll and late 70's/early 80's pop punk. The result ends up sounding like some punked up Grease soundtrack. That'll be all the yeah, yeah, yeahs and ohhhh ahhhhh backing vocals. The First of the faster numbers just kicks off!!! It’s called "dick" and it clocks in at 2 seconds long. That's Two seconds! Mint! I'm a sucker for that sort of thing. "Are u Patronising me" goes a little longer but is a full throttle punk rock attitude attack akin to stuff of the first f-minus album or old Babes in Toyland stuff. The best thing about Flamingo 50 is that they play quite nice songs but they kick 'em about and rough 'em up a bit so it’s all rugged and rockin' too. Good stuff. (JN)
Keith Records 004
FLATCAT / FIVE DAYS OFF split CD
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latcat are big in South America, their have songs with slightly bizarre lyrical content (one is quite a happy affair about 'We're (i.e. the band) playing tonight.' and then goes on about a girl being raped, the concept being we should 'Forget the pain' and 'try and have some fun', WHAT!?!?!?), and at best they sound a bit like Face To Face (a large complement, and a bit of a disservice to FTF). FDO are in a similar vein, presumably not as popular in South America as it's not mentioned in the press release, and sound a little more like Strung Out, with those patented Fat Wreck twiddley guitar bits thrown in. Both bands are really tight and if the aforementioned bands appeal to you at all then I'm sure you'll lap this up. I may be accused of not checking my reviews through for mistakes and grammatical errors, but I strongly suggest Flatcat do the same with their lyrics, as some people may get the wrong idea, hopefully I have. (JW)
Funtime Records, Vlasselaar 13, 3221 Nieuwrode (Holsbeek),
Belgium
johan@funtimerecords.com
FLAT STANLEY here comes the dog CD
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F |
lorida band which features ex-members of the Pink Lincolns. I used to like the Pink Lincolns back in the early eighties but this is way inferior. Very average mid-paced pop punk with none of the great fast hardcore pop punk the Lincolns had. Dull. (DC)
Ass-Card , Annenstr. 5, 44137
Dortmund, Germany
www.asscardrecords.com
info@asscardrecords.com
THE FOAMERS s/t CD
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W |
oah, am I surprised! I really didn't think much to the "six pints none the wiser" record, but this is pretty great! It's a fair bit faster, the production is great, the songs have got a lot more going, it gives off such a buzz, and it has a really snotty punk edge. There's (quite traditional) Ska parts, but I'm not holding that against 'em. This is a really decent record, definitely worth picking up if you're into fast, raw punk with a (proper) ska tinge. Oh yeah, the artwork is dead nice too, and they use printers who re-forest and give a shit about the environment, which is nice. PS. I even spotted what I think might be a SAXON riff somewhere. (WW)
HOUSEHOLD NAME -
PO BOX 12286, London, SW9, 6FE
WWW.householdnamerecords.com
FUCKED UP dance of death 7”
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A |
nother 2 song 7” from the hugely impressive Fucked Up from Toronto, Canada. This is already their 4th 7” but they are cheating by only putting 2 songs on each! And a 5th 7” is out on Test Pattern Records (send us a copy for review, please). Fucked Up take an early Black Flag riff, rock it up a little and then add faster angry screamy vocals to make harsh but catchy music. Both these songs are great particularly “zezozose” - which I guess you’d call the B-side – the faster gnarlier and rockier of the two songs. This is top draw and you’d be a fool not to buy all their stuff. Looking forward to the CD (JK).
Deranged, PO Box 543, Station P, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
FUCKED UP epics in minutes CD
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uite simply this is amazing. I've been looking through my collection to find the last record up to this quality and I'm thinking Born Against/ Citizens Arrest. No one since has put out anything as good as this. Musically I'd say mix some early Born Against/ Life's Blood guitar with the intensity of Jesus and the Gospelfuckers and, in the right places, add some melody. It’s an interesting mix, there’re not many bands that can match such catchy songs with such intensity. In a couple of cases the songs go straight for the jugular and knock you firmly on your pants. This is kinda a collection of the 5 singles they've put out so far - some alternative mixes and some omissions. I was already a big fan of most of the songs before but hearing them all together really blows you away (the total effect being greater than the sum of the parts etc) and I've heard it said by others that these songs sound even better on CD than they did on vinyl. Oh, I nearly forgot to mention the demo and live stuff on here which is just so intense and unlike most live stuff, which should remain unreleased, this is essential listening. Ultimately the importance of this band will be judged by time alone but I'm left feeling they're a really special band. (JK)
Deranged, PO Box 543, Station P, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
FURIA DE BUZO CIEGE ?Por que me escribes? MC
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his tape only release is from Venezuella and its an official full length, not a demo. I should tip my cap to anyone who still has time for tape only releases. There’s nothing better than a quality tape recording if your stuck in some tour van with only a tape deck for company (not including your band mates off course). This label has an excellent attitude toward putting out records on a budget but this record is terrible. This release is a result of too much exposure to crappy American emo-rock outfits from the US. The recording is kinda cool and low budget sounding but the vocals ride high over the rest of the mix which leaves it sounding stale and bored. Its totally weak wuss rock and I can't bring myself to listen to it over. Damn that crappy emo-shitcore etc. (JN)
Abel Murillo, Apartado Postal 10117 Bella Vista, Maracaibo, Zulia 4002, Venezuela.
G.A.L.G.E.N. / CONTRABAND evil time CD
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T |
wo Russian bands here. G.A.L.G.E.N. are supposed to be a hardcore band but they never really get above punky plod speed – their songs are OK. I preferred Contraband despite murdering Suburban Rebels by the Business in Russian. They keep it going a bit better. Both bands sound kinda dated – I’m gonna sound patronising when I say that Russian punk is gonna have to catch up, but tough shit cos that’s my opinion. (JK)
Neuroempire, Shemetova T.N. PO Box 58, 123100 Moscow, Russia
GOOBER PATROL songs that were too shit for Fat CD
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H |
o ho ho, a collection of GOOBER PATROL rarities! You should know what to expect by now, hyperfast pop hooks, super fun time punk that is so bum wiggle-able that it could get annoying really quickly, that kind of new ska music which gives me a migraine and a healthy sense of humour. I can see this being one of those CD's which I quite like, and might whack on if I’ve had a shit day, or just drank 4 litres of Irn Bru, but otherwise would just accumulate dust at the bottom of my pile. Conclusion - It's good to see bands having a good laugh and making music they want to make, good on 'em. This has a few CD-ROM video thingymajigs, but unfortunately I'm too technically inept to make them work. Poo. (WW)
Them's Good Records,
PO BOX 8, Corby, Northamptonshire,
England. NN17 2XZ
www.punkuk.com
GRABASS CHARLESTON the greatest story ever hula'd CD
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C |
rap name for a crap band on a crap label. This is the sort of thing Fracture would rave on about but if you ask me (and technically, by giving it to me for review, someone has...) its lame, husky punk with a pretty flat sound. The riffs are all too 'joseph's well' for me, I like the fact they play fast-ish. Kinda like Hot Water Music doing Ramones? The cover art was interesting to look at though, I liked that. (LH)
No Idea Records
GUNMOLL board of rejection CD
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G |
UNMOLL are another one of those bands from Florida who worship the ground that Frankie Stubbs walks on. Their first LP was a hit for me, but I didn’t feel like I needed to hear more from them. After all, does the world really need another record that sounds like LEATHERFACE, when we have HOT WATER MUSIC? Well the answer is YES. From the opening track of this record I was blown away. Melodic, driving guitars and bass lines with powerful, gruff vocals, just the way I like it. The sound is really fluid and the songs are just catchy enough to make you return, but not so much that it’s irritating. LEATHERFACE comparisons aside, this is a lot like our boys MILLOY, so much so that when I heard “Song # 2” I was sure someone had sneaked a MILLOY CD into the player. If you’re sick of hearing bands with such obvious influences you still shouldn’t be put off from hearing this record. GUNMOLL add enough of that Gainesville passion and energy to make this a string contender against any LEATHERFACE record. Yes, even “Mush”! This really is a classic. (LC)
No Idea Records, PO Box 14636, Gainesville, Florida, 32604, USA
www.noidearecords.com
HAMMER raw tracks 2000 7”
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H |
ammer from Japan have taken the energy levels of compatriots Exclaim and Charm and blended that with more traditional Japanese mentalness from the past to produce a hell of a monster. This was originally a demo – not that you can tell from the quality – 4 tracks of fast and heavy Jap core. Really enjoyable stuff. (JK)
Deranged, PO Box 543, Station P, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
HAYMARKET s/t LP/CD
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M |
elodic French band from Nantes with strong, sung male vocals. HAYMARKET remind me of TERMINUS (UK) in both the vocal and musical style. They also have strong political content in their lyrics that are socially and politically aware that encapsulates a humanistic approach and feel to their music. Lyrically they discuss subjects such as 'competition', 'money', 'progress', 'yuppies', and have a strong anti-G8 anti-globalisation stance. HAYMARKET are something different to today’s punk scene and are well worth checking out. Really great. 12 tracks in all. (SHY)
Musi
Canard, Label a Plumes, Nantes, 068979 35 85, France
www.canardmusique.org
haymarket@canardmusique.org
HEROS AND ZEROS wake up call CD
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ourteen tracks of catchy as fuck, powerful, aggressive street punk from Holland. The songs are pretty varied but all winners – angry vocals, punchy guitars, great production. Musically you can tell they also listen to a lot of hardcore. They have a song called “who stole my bicycle” which is lame (lyrically) and cannot be condoned in the tough old world of Oi! But I guess it shows them to be true Europeans. One to buy for sure. (JK)
Mad Butcher, Kurze Geismarstr. 6, D- 37073 Gottingen, Germany www.madbutcher.de
KOB, Via N. Cantarane 63/c, 37129 Verona, Italy
THE HORROR first blood parts 1 and 2 CD
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T |
his CD is basically the first limited 10” put out by US label Chainsaw safety and the eagerly awaited second 10”. The Horror basically kick the crap out of 99% of what passes for hardcore on these dismal islands. For the uninitiated this is the last Voorhees line up with Andy from Imbalance adding his lyrical wit and larynx shredding vocals. Fastasfucktightasnailsthrash basically - Hardcore played as it should be with a solid punk edge and intelligent ‘fuck you’ attitude. Yeah, they ain’t overtly political lyrically but they do tackle some interesting topics. ‘Fuck the Romans’ and ‘Lets get regional’ are basically two of the best punk songs I’ve heard in the last 10 years! Get this! (Russ)
Coalition Records, Newtonstraat 212, 2562 KW Den Haag, The Netherlands. www.coalition-records.com
Chainsaw safety records, PO box 260318, Bellerose, NY 11426. USA. www.chainsawsafetyrecords.com
HRYDJUVERK CD
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hit, this is by far the best band from Iceland I've heard! and the best of this months stuff I got to review. 6 tracks of raging hardcore that absolutely rip your head off. A few minor chords give this a more modern sound along the lines of Tragedy, but basically this is straight ahead HC bursting with energy + anger, anyone that likes any of the old 80's HC originators should like this. Political lyrics too covering privatisation, animal rights, multinationals etc. Why didn't I hear this earlier, as they did a short UK tour in December I missed out, you probably did too, don't do that again, do yourself a favour and send off for this (Set).
Hrydjuverk Records, PO Box 18, 121 Reykjavik, Iceland. hrydjuverk@yahoo.com