A co-release with Tuska & Ahdistus, Worst-Case Scenario, Räkälevyt & Člověk. Review in Maximum Rocknroll #343:
PETTURIN PALKKA – ”Kaikellaista Harmia” EP
Seven tracks of blistering Finnish thrash with scalding male and female vocal trade offs, PETTURIN PALKKA’s (translation tools point the name to being something like ”Wage Traitor” or ”Salary Judas”) debut has a clean recording and precise music
ianship. Brief intros allow you to catch your breath before the band dives back to a consistent throttling of fast thrash beats in the classic style of ancient Finnish hardcore, but delivered a tempo more akin to a RIISTETYT record set on the highest speed / pitch adjustment. The vocals trade off and occasionally echo each other, in the classic anarcho-crust style of the male vocals – a classic throaty growl punctuated by piercing and commanding female vocals. Lyrics are sung in Finnish, but are translated in the fold out sleeve with unique and sometimes whimsical takes on Anarchism, resistance, Guantanamo Bay, cynicism and more. (KS)
KONKURSSI: s/t 7" EP (NP-002)
A co-release with Kämäset Levyt, Äänekkäät Äänitteet, Höhnie Records & Off Records. Review in Maximum Rocknroll #347:
KONKURSSI - "Six Pack" EP
Like all proper raw punk lovers, I have an abiding affection for classic '80's Finnish punk, but the more modern stuff has been very hit or miss to me (KIELTOLAKI obviously excluded, of course). KONKURSSI are right up my fu***ng alley though! Sloppy as f**k C-beat fast hardcore with MOB 47 influences firmly in place, though the tempo does take its foot off the gas at times, resulting in an early RIISTETYT feel. These six songs sound like these kids were drunk as f**k in the studio, not in a bad way but in the sense there's a real looseness and live feel that very few studio recordings can pull off. The lyrics are bleak and nihilistic, but are leavened with a very refreshing sense of humor as well. I think "Six Pack" is the first pro-beer gut song I've ever heard. This isn't a game-changer, but it's a fu***ng solid EP of classic Scandinavian hardcore fu***ng punk. (AU)
BAD JESUS EXPERIENCE - "II" 10" (NP-003)
A co-release with Kämäset Levyt, Tuska & Ahdistus & Grey Inferno. SILENT SCREAM - "Public Ex*****on" LP (NP-004)
A co-release with Pain Of Mind Records. Review in Maximum Rocknroll #379:
SILENT SCREAM – Public Ex*****on LP
Upon first listening I expected this to be some aggressive and cold proto-industrial deathrock with a nod to KILLING JOKE but there is so much more here. Commanding drum-heavy industrial is mixed with energetic post-punk and some – dare I say – pop-ish jams, while the vocals switch from a yowling goth croon to direct and confrontional a la William Bennett. SILENT SCREAM takes so many unexpected turns that show the versatility of their taste and talent, which is so on point. These are the directions I feel like this genre should be taking. I know this is a reissue of a semi-recent release, but Scandinavia is killing it lately in the spooky punx dept – keep it coming. (AP)
UHRIT - s/t 7" EP (NP-005)
A co-release with Tuska & Ahdistus. Review in Maximum Rocknroll #369:
UHRIT – ”Alicebeth” EP
If you’re looking for some gloomy crust this Helsinki band has got something for you. The band is mixing energetic female vocals over angry D-beat with a penchant for discordant guitars. After wading through countless terrible dark hardcore bands, it’s nice to see someone doing it right. There is a bit of hardcore and doom blended in there, but the influence adds to the songs rather than interjects into them. Lyrics are translated into English and are dark, dealing with sexual abuse and grim themes, with great delivery. This is a relatively new band and I believe this is their first record. Great showing and looking forward to future offerings (BL)
DISORDER / VIVERE M***A - Dawn Of The Miserable 12" EP (NP-006)
A co-release with Nuclear Chaos Records, Gusto Rana!, Calimocho, Rotten Pope, Dog From Hell, Black Fire Rec., Arraggia, Tifiamo Rivolta, Sepolti Vivi, Heresia Records, Dischi Grezzi, Kalashnikov, Anfibio Records, Gustosissimo, Hetichetta Shilluti, Propaganda Sovversiva, and Onehundreddirt Records. BAD JESUS EXPERIENCE - III 10" (NP-007)
A co-release with Pupu's Bistro and Popo's Bistro.
