Re-edition of this Boston based band EP which is out on Rebellion as LP and it contains all four original songs (Blood Eagle, Traitors Stomped Out, Warpaths Ahead and Heart of Fire and Stone) plus two bonus tracks Cut Bloodline and Cold Iron Death from cassetes and demos. LP is limited to 300 black copies and 450 clear with splatters. Original version is from 2010 (Rock´n´Roll Disgrace), repress is from 2017 on same labal and it really cost much now. Cover is done as a gatefold with lyrics and band photos. Now to the music. I think it is not necessary to introduce Battle Ruins. For me it is phenomenon. Lyrics about wars, battles and fights from Roman Empite to nowadays (this EP is mainly about Viking times), Brandan´s perfect vocal (who is not afraid to use high tune levels like in Traitors Stomped Out or Heart of Fire and Stone), NWOBHM influences on guitar and totally non-cliché attitude towars the music. Brendan has experiences with many projects from HC, punk through hevy and black metal. If you compare these EP with later songs of the band you will realize that this EP has the fastest thythm. All songs can be checked on youtube, so try them if you don´t know them. Perfect!

Second repress of the first full album from Battle Ruins is out on Rebellion Records. Original version is from 2014 and first repress from 2016, both released on Rock´n´Roll Disgrace. Numbers are same as on EP repress – 450 clear with splatters and 300 black. ON LP are seven songs (4 on A side and 3 on B side) and they are called Regain And Conquer, Slaughtering The Wolves Like Sheep, Streets Run Red, Hate Wheel, The Coming Of The Beast, Immortal Assault and Black Eyes Of Revenge. From the titles (and from the intro with burning fire) are clear again that this will be about fights, battles, fortresses, swords, axes, etc… This is the first piece I ever heard from Battle Ruins in the past and I have to say that this really made my day. Especially the A side which is perfect. Most of all I like Hate Wheel which is about Hannibal´s victory in Battle of Cannae and the first piece Regain and Conquer. In the last song Black Eyes of Revenge you will hear also acoustic guitar. Cover is done again as gatefold with lyrics, photo from battlefield of Cannae and band photo. Perfect again!

Split Ep from two bands which came across the pond – Concrete Elite from Texas which are cooperating with Rebellion for such a long time and Montreal based Ultra Razzia with Prowlers members and which sing in French. Concrete Elite has there three songs called Cages, World of Violence and Victory at any Cost which came from 2022 studio session where band record stuff for split with Faction-S. Cages are starting with nice solo and it may seem that they become softer but then came refrain and you may see that this is not true. It still brutal HC/Oi! machine snd other two songs prove this especially the World of Violence. Ultra Razzia has there four songs including Razors in the Night from Blitz (in French and in softer version than original). Songs are not so hard and all are in the line of classic Oi!/streetpunk. Song titles are De Sang-Froid (In Cold Blood but I don´t know if the song is about the famous book/film), Le Séjours Des Morts (Underworld), Le Mirage and Rasoirs Dans La Nuit. Their second songg Le Séjours Des Morts is the best one for me. On title cooperates Ramon again but the original was done by the artist with nickname Grimblack. LP is limited to 500 copies (250 black and 250 ultrac lear) with lyrics, photos and A3 poster. Good one!

Third EP from this French project is out again on Combate Brutal (which released also their debout, second mai EP was released on Nouvelle Aube Production) in two versions (grey and white cover, each limited to 100 copies). On EP, or better to say on side A you will find three songs called Couers Vaillants (Valiant Hearts), Le Trajet Extraordinaire D'un Loser (The Extraordinary Journey of a Loser) and J'irai te revoir au Paradis (We See Each Other in Paradise) which is cover from L’infanterie Sauvage J’irai revoir ma Normandie and it is dedicated to friend Alex (who used to play in Oeil Pour Oeil or Crane de Fer) and who died in 2021. To him is dedicated whole EP and inside is his short story from bass guitarist Jibého plus his photos. Songs were recorded back in 2021/2022. First one contains nice guitar solo and it is dark and gloomy anthem of all street warriors who are rising cans instead of swords to drink their sadness away and whose honor can not be sold. Second one is about melancholy/romantic time in underground and short rapprochement of two people. It is faster than first piece and it has nice choirs. As I wrote before third song is tribute to friend Alex. Album has very nice cover – pictures from Gusatv Doré – on the front side is archangel Michael who leads crusaders to Jerusalem (if you remember well this arcahgel with flag was in logo of Banner of Thugs) on back side is picture called Destruction of Leviathan. Inside is A2 paper with short story about Alex, thankslist, lyrics and few photos. Their first EP had really impact on me, second also (I didn´t have it physicaly but I heard it) and this third piece is perfect also – lyrics (even there is no historical topic as on previous releases) and music are top. I hope that this project did not end and we can look forward to some other songs in this format. Perfect! Check it on https://coeur-vaillant.bandcamp.com/album/c-urs-vaillants.

After few split albums came Day Drinker with their debut with 11 songs including one in German (Wohin du Gehst or one strophe from Child of Generation X) and Bruisers cover (These Two Boots of Mine). As I wrote in review before, in band are members from The Reapers, Nations on Fire, Crown Court or Malad and on guitar plays Jane who is also helping strongly in vocals. Most of the songs are really melodic streetpunk. Hardest piece from LP is called No Sobriety which is more shouted vocals and with perfect bass in the background. Musically everything fits well – guitar riffs/solos and mainly changing in male and female which is one of the best things from the album. Most of all I like songs Child of Generation X (about growing up in 80´s in some shitty place and how to find your own way) which is sung by Jane, then Rock Bottom (which reminds me songs from Burning Streets from Is It In Black And White? album), Away Days with perfect singalong or 28 Days. This album is perfect from the beginning to the end. Album is out in gatefold sleeve with dark comix drawings.

During the preparing of new Live by the Sword album, which will be called The Pagan Pantheon, found Wouter (guitar and vocals) this project with people from LBTS (Freek on bass) and God Dethroned (Frank on drums) in line up. Who missed in LBTS songs Wouter´s brutal vocal and who is not satisfied with his “guest” vocals in Voyage to Constantinople from the last album this is directly for him. BUT. This is perfect combination of Razorblade hardness and black/death metal riffs. These riffs can be heard in songs like Allegiance, Throne of Betray (about self proclaimed king who is proud on stolen wealth and fake gold) or in Reborn in Power. Together you may check eight songs including instrumental intro called Preludium. Song Inevitable Fall is originally from Exploring Soldiers Rise album from LBTS but here it with different refrain and whole sound is filthy blackened. There is song called To Ride the Nightsky which is inspired by poem Wild Hunt from Johannes Carsten Hauch. Some songs are more into Razorblade style, just check the first one called Civilisation Ends Here...which is about Saxon resistance against Franks and Romans or To Ride the Nightsky. There is also slower piece – the last one called Saxon Wars with acoustic guitar at the beginning and end which is about united Saxon armies who are resurrected from rivers and forrest and who are going to fight crusaders with the gods of war on their side – for me the best piece from the LP. Album will be out as six panel digipack CD limited to 250 copies or LP on black vinyl with woven patch, also limited to 250 copies. These mixteures of metal and Oi!/streetpunku were there and you may know the bans like Cuero, Plakkaggio HC or Lion´s Pride and I know that this mixture is not everyone´s cup of tea. BUT this is perfect…brutal, straightforward, non-cliché and balls-tearing! Check some songs on https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEnyKjCtVk7ZimiykUhAbzg.

Second full albim from this Portuguese band/project is out again on their home label Combate Brutal in two versions limited to 100 copies each and each with different cover. Title of the album can be translated like I Hate People. Together there is ten songs in their native language and except classical instruments you may hear also saxophone and keyboards, which I really like! Playtime is around about 23 minutes. The first song Morte Lenta (Slow Death) kicks you straight into the balls – fast rhythm, saxophone, perfect bass line and rough vocals. Second one Batalhas (Battles) continues in the same line and the other songs on side A Parasita and Bootboys (with perfect shouted refrain) also. Mundo de Betão (Concrete World) which is the last piece on the A side is slower song with keyboards. Side B is opened with Regeneração (Regeneration) which starts also with keyboards and bass and together with the previous one these are the best songs from the album. Then came Código de Honra (Code of Honour) which is faster, Boneco (Puppet) withs poken word, Nós Contra Eles (Us Against Them) and the last one Odeio Pessoas (I Hate PEople). So the rhythm is slower and keyboards and sax gives rto this album really 80´s Oi!/RAC spirit. Inside is A2 poster with perfect graphics, lyrics and thankslist. If you like Combate Brutal production and bands like Núcleo Duro or Gume which aren´t afraid to do experiments with sax and keyboards and which have really dark and gloomy sound you will love this album. It´s a pitty that this is (probably) just studio project.

On CD/EP is out new stuff from Finnish band Laki & Järjestys which is called Ei Katumusta (which can be translated like No Regrets). Other songs are Lyökää, Pieskää, Iskekää (something like Attack, Hit, Strike), Räjähdysten Aikaan (During the Explosions) and Pohjois-Helsinki which is north part of the Helsinki city. This song can be checked on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxjeIRTM2dk and it is about historical airport which was destroyed by high-rise apartments. Title song can be also checked here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMeNAPDG7fI. The band plays in four and if you check the song titles you will realize that they are singing in their native language. Musically it is in middle rhythm and guitar plays some solos and I really like singing in their mother tongue. If you check the second song you will realize that the rest of the band helps the singer and at the end of the song is nice singalong. Third piece Räjähdysten Aikaan sounds really perfect mainly due to the singing into the guitar solo. Most of all I like the last song which is full of nostalgia and singer and guitarist are really playful in this song. CD is out as thre panel digipack limited to 500 copies. Cool.

Demo EP from LBTS which is out on Rebellion Records and it is limited to 300 copies on black wax plus woven patch with artwork from Ramon Girones contains two songs recorded in 2023 – title one Warriors of our Time and March or Die which you may know from compilation Oi! Ain´t Dead 8 Chaos in Netherland. EP has also title Demo 2023, even the sound quality is top. Drums were recorded in rehearsal room to make them more raw and hard. This single is some kind of taste before the new album and also something like tribute to streetrock roots of the band or to the bands of its members (Razorblade, Strongarm and the Bullies). On side A is the title song which starts with perfect solo and which reminds me old Razorblade. Song is faster (and before the end it gets slower but again like the phoenix from the ashes it goes faster). Lyrics are about the fact that even the band members came from different places they have many in common especially old fashioned values which they follow. March or Die is hard and heavy stuff which go straight to your mind (mainly due to the refrain) and perfect lyrics (Against rats, snakes and scene clichés!) and guitar solo at the end. Lyrics are on the backside of the cover plus photo (from Beach Beer Chaos festival). This is without mistakes and Rebellion starts the year 2024 sharply.

Resolver is brand new band from Australia with members from Razorcut (guitarist Bel is singing), The Opposition, Marching Orders or The Clinch. The band plays in three pieces and on this debut EP you may check six songs called Better Than What?, Beast, Make it on Your Own, Mind Control, Negligence and To Grow is a Privilage. Musically it is similar to above mentioned bands, guitar plays solos between the strophes (like in Negligience or Beast). I really like Bel´s vocal (just check the last song To Grow is a Privilege) and also singing with Brendan is perfect (like refrain in Make it on Your Own). Cool songs are Mind Control, Beast or Negligience. Whole album can be checked on https://resolverband.bandcamp.com/album/better-than-what. Who likes above mentioned bands will put Resolver imidiatelly into the playlist.

Retribution is the title of complete discography of Swedish band Sabotage which is mapping their career between the years 2014 – 2024 and which is out on Nonkonform Media. This is really good news for those who haven´t got record player because almost all of their previously released stuff (except Faderskap I Gråzonen) was just EP´s or LP´s. On CD´s are together 26 songs and 25 are in Swedish (only one English song is When Odin Calls which is English version of Blå Linjen Blues). There are also three covers and two of them are translated from English to Swedish - Kanske Ljuset from Templars and Skitgata from The Rogues. Third one is Stolt och Stark from Ultima Thule. On CD´s are all songs since the first EP Betraktelser Från Staketet to the last one Alla Uppgifter Om Att Motståndet Skall Upphöra Är Falska. The band has really consistent sound through the years and their mother tongue really fits them well. Middle rhythm, nice vocals where you can hear everything, guitars with light booster and solos and playful bass (just check it on Stolt och Stark for example) and last but not least the lyrics which are openly critisizng nowadays society and who are not afraid to call the things with right name (even the mainstream society will not like it)….big thumbs up. Booklet has sixteen pages with all lyrics, many band photos, information about the albums and band ex-members and cheers to all friends, bands and zines (thanks for personal and zine shout ou boys)! I will not rate it because it is just complete discography but it got stuck in my player for quite a few days.

Sabotage from Stockholm are playing for more than ten years and this is their debut full length album. They have already released 5 EP´s plut 2 splits with Codi de Silenci and No Heart. Their comolete discography will be reviewed soon. Album contains nine songs in Swedish (each has playtime more then 3 minutes and total playing time is around about 36 minutes) and the title can be translated like Ancient Memory (cover respects the album title – Valkyrie riding on griffin). Album is out on Nonkonform Media which has many interesting stuff in pipeline (like compilation Sverige I Brand or book about Swedish scene since 1980 for example). Compared to previous stuff you may hear classic piano (Lydig Slav – Obedient Slave), keyboards (first piece Bättre Sent Än Aldrig – Better Late Than Never or Jag är inte rädd – I am not Afraid) and saxophone (Färval och Tack – Farewell and Thanks). Robban is not playing guitar now but he just sings and from the first to the last tune of the album you will hear how he can work with his voice (just check Gryning – Dawn for all, which begins like acoustic ballad and which has perfect refrain and which is by the way the longest song from the LP). Sabotage plays with two guitars now and you will really hear and feel it just check solos in Jag är inte rädd, Under Attack, end of Tänder Inga Ljus (something with teeth and light :)) or Chiswick/rock´n´roll tunes Slödder (Riffraff) or the last one Som En Man (I´m Man) with light booster. Bass is also perfect and it can be clearly heard in all songs. Everything fits well together. Album will be out at the beginning of December 2024 so I don´t have details about the inside graphics and booklet but this is really top of the tops.

After19 (!!!) years came this band from South California with brand new full album. In line up are just two original members (singer Eric and guitarist Jared) plus Caleb on guitar, girl Chalon on bass (Toughskins, Bedlam Knives) and drummer Chris (Voodoo Glow Skulls, Autorithy Zero). On album you may check 12 new songs of perfect streetrock with faster tunes (Shit Show, Sail Away), melancholic ones (blues pieces My Disease, or the beginning of White Crosses which came later into standard rhythm), r´n´r stuff (Fame and Fortune, Sinner of Saint, Red, White and Blue) and in the last song Honor Among Outcasts (which is one of the best pieces from the LP and which is about the fact that we don´t need your plastic smiles, credit cards and houses because it is all fake) you will hear Twisted Sister and their We're Not Gonna Take It. Interesting is the fact that the band built their own studio for recording. Cover is done by Johan Prenger (wolves on the front side of the album) and Ramon (who is responsible for the iron fist and the rest). LP is limited to 5000 copies (250 black and 250 transparent red), inside is paper with lyrics + band photos. This has really great drive!

Ultra Sect is band hailing from San Francisco, which plays in four, but with two guitars. This is compilation released on Rebellion Records and band label Turn Up The Oi! (which is also song on the LP). On side A are songs from War of the Roses (2018) EP and on B side from Final Conquest (2019). If you did not know this fact you never recognise any sound differences between the sides. Two guitars can be heard in the songs straight from the beginning – just check solos in Built at Last or Class Hate. Guitar is perfect also at the end of Turn Up the Oi! I really like song Stolen Lands which is the hardest from the LP for me and I can say that whole B side is little bit harder compared to A side. Lyrics are about historical topics (Violent Acquisition, Power through Victory and Stolen Lands), about hard life and strikes (Built to Last), classic topics about “way of life” (Turn Up the Oi! and Modern Nights). LP is limited to 150 black copies and 350 gold ones. Graphicaly it is perfect, with lyrics and photos inside. I will leave it without rating because it is “just” compulation of two EP´s.