What is this obsession with war ? Macho insecurity or something ? Any way three guesses what this band sound like punk ? R & B ? Jazz ? errr.. metal ? Could be!!! Yes another onslaught of standard thrash metal fare that can’t even be aligned to cool old cross over bands like the Crumbsuckers or the Cro Mags or Corrosion of Conformity. This is Slayer, Onslaught and their ilk’s territory. Bland and offering nothing for me I’m afraid. Even the graphics on the liner booklet look like a Slayer album cover but hey who am I to judge.

ALL DAY/STOMACH - Split EP 7" (Rejected Records/Know Records)

This is your official Irish-American release featuring All Day from Long Beach California, and Stomach from Dublin, Ireland. All Day kick things off with the excellent Number 56 which sounds like a combination between Bad Religion and Scream with excellent vocals to boot. The second track is not as good but still packs a punch. Stomach take up the flip with a cool guitar intro to New Song - a fast, pounding number that has a Therapy? meets Puke kinda feel to it. Stomach also cover the excellent GI number Mad At Myself which is superb. This split is also a split release between Rejected Records and Know Records and comes on snotty green vinyl. Fine Release.

ASTREAM - Jumps Giggles & Shouts (Bad Taste Records)

It seems like years since the excellent debut, Wood Fish, from these guys. So this came as a real pleasing surprise when it dropped through the door. Astream hit the spot once again with a 13 track delight of fast paced melodic punk tuneage. House of Slim Perfection and No Port In Misery are class numbers with more pace that Lynford Christie and the typical Astream ditties like When I Reach The Age of Shaving and Macho Things. These Swedes kick serious ass with a mighty rendition of Elvis Presley’s cool number Suspicious Minds which is followed in style by a gospel meets hardcore fusion on Meeting By The Crossroads. Girlfriends is so fucking Creamers it’s brilliant - get Mia singing on more tracks she’s got a real cool, voice. Basically need I go on this album just rules big style. What’s more these guys are over in June - Yeah!

AVAIL - Live At The Bottom of The Hill In San Francisco CD (Lookout Records)

Surprisingly this is a live recording and features the powerful tunes of Avail. Up tempo punky hardcore that has any pit in a frenzy of sweat, stomping feet and raised fists. Awash with plenty of attitude this cruises along at a fair old rate with feedback, grunts and all. 15 tracks of live adrenaline tuneage from the Lookout camp including the excellent Fix and Simple Song.

BEEKEEPERS - Third Party, Fear and Theft CD (Beggars Banquet)

It was quite strange to see Marco Pirroni, ex-Ants guitarist, on some of the production credits but good to see him still involved. On with the reviewed The Beekeepers kick off this album with a Radiohead sounding slow melancholic number that falls into the background as that fine track Killer Cure kicks in from their single we review last time. The Beekeepers have some fabulous moments of post-punk up tempo tuneful sounds like Second Skin and Catgut while at the same time having some nice acoustic moments as with I Only Want To See You Suffer. But they never quite seem to give it their all and therefore lack that immediacy that they have in tracks like Killer Cure and Catgut.

BLACK GARDEN - Bite My Tongue CD (Smelt A Noise Records, PO Box 118, Hartlepool, TS25 2YL,UK £8 inc post Cheques to: Black Garden)

Well this is certainly better than the tape we reviewed last time, the recording doesn’t keep running down. Black Garden are a post grunge-cum heavy rock type of affair that has a heavily chorused main vocal. In fact the vocals are kind of weird they seem to go in and out of tune and sound like the singer is either really pissed or extremely laid back. The first couple of tracks are OK if a little slow, Another Day is better with a nice chorus, the next few track float by with little effect Wash It Out has a bit more about itself with a nice up tempo punky guitar. Breathe is a good number with a nice acoustic start which cranks in with heavy Nirvana overtones. This didn’t do a lot for me but if you like heaps of metal edged Sub Pop bands and a little goth then this may suit you just fine.

BLITZKRIEG BOP - Top Of The Bops CD (Overground Records)

This is a biographic disc of Teeside’s early punkers Blitzkrieg Bop which despite it’s very raw feel and basic recordings holds a spirit that fuelled the whole movement - Do It Yourself. The 28 tracks, some of which are repeated in different versions, and the 12 page booklet chart the ups and downs of the northern band trying to make an impact in a pre-dominantly London based music scene. Some tracks are really cool while others are little more than some of the one hit wonders that flooded the new wave and punk market from 1977 onwards. Life is Just So-So, Mental Case, (You’re Like a)UFO, Images and Street Corners are the really cool tracks the band are a cross between the Adverts, Eater and the Ramones. This is a good document of an early punk band and reflects in an honest way the trials and tribulations of band life - the good stuff is good and the crap stuff crap simple as that.

CHAOS UK - Heard It, Seen It, Done It CD (Vinyl Japan Records)

Those old timers are at it again and Mower, Chaos and the gang provide an aural battering of their favourite punk tunes in their own inimitable way. Included the cool Not The 9’Oclock News’ Gob on You, Elvis Costello’s Pump It Up and covers of the Plasmatics, Pistols, PIL, Anti Seen, Ian Dury, GG Allin and Alternative TV. Great covers album with a driving "fuck you" attitude all the way through fucking excellent. Great release.

CHARLATANS - Melting Pot CD (Beggars Banquet)

This is a greatest hits disc charting the seven years of existence on BB of the Charlatans. It shows their changing face of music over the years but generally this is pretty non eventful with the exception of The Only One I Know and a couple of others which have that Happy Mondays kind of dreamy feel - Nothing spectacular though.

COCK SPARRER - Bloody Minded… CD (Dr Strange Records)

Cock Sparrer just fucking rules, from the first time I heard them doing Sunday Stripper on the Kids Are United compilation album I was hooked to those cockney dulcet tones and pounding Oi sounds. The G-String Trippers deliver a best of… type of album that is excellent with a couple of new recordings too, the fine A.U., I Feel A Death Coming and Bats. There’s the classic, all time great number Because You’re Young along with the above homage to weekend lunchtime erotic dancing and Last Train To Dagenham,Where Are They Now, Argy Bargy, Runnin’ Riot and England Belongs To Me. Sparrer are the best in Oi punk with a bluesy edge and this is a classic collection of top tunage from this time served classic band.

COSMONKS - In Afterburn CD (Lucky Seven Records)

We reviewed the Lucky Seven sampler last time which had a taster of this fine Danish band on. This time we get the full lengther which is sheer class, this disc oozes melody in a Starmarket meets the Jam and snogs the Damned kinda way. This is cool as they come with every hook in the book off loaded in these magnificent tracks along with some lyrics which are full of irony and black humour. Tracks like Love Hogs, Loop The Tube, Bastard and Little Mad are just perfect ditties that get you bouncing around and implant themselves in your head forever with that hum along ability that all classic songs have. What more can I say, the Cosmonks are brilliant and I thoroughly recommend this to you with all my heart, if we scored reviews they’d get 11 out of 10, they are that good!!!!

COVE - DEMO MC (109 Prospect Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TW4 0EK, UK)

This demo reminds me of Guilt with it’s dark and sinister feel and also there’s a link to all those Amp Rep bands. It’s been recorded on a 2 track and therefore has a fairly rough edge to it, but this actually enhances the atmosphere of what this band are trying to do. This could be pretty depressing if you let it, but it’s certainly something you could dance to… well maybe sway to in a drug induced tribal trance. Interesting demo.

COWBOY KILLERS - Thank You, Fuck You and Good Night Advance Tape (TS Records)

Well it’s been a while since Beddis and the gang released some stuff which is a real shame. Sporting a rather fetching cover of Elvis Presley shaking hands with Nixon disguised in a superimposed Alien mask this is a cool album of CKs fine full throttle intense punk with those Jello Biafra style vocals. Classic tracks are abound on this release including Alien Schamliens, Mid Life Crisis plus some the excellent tracks from the Deeply Dippy sessions. This is an absolute corker of an album good to see these at it again.

CROCODILE GOD - Ladders EP 7" (Crackle Records)

Those sweet snapping Scousers deliver another crackin’ EP of good wholesome melodic poppy punk. Crocodile God on this cool 4 tracker sound a little like a punkier version of the Bluetones at times and the tunes a first rate. Total cool sounds from this top UK trio on everyone’s favourite label, Crackle.

DAGOBAH - Good Rockin’ Tonight EP 7" (Crackle Records)

Tuneful melodic punk from the Crackle factory that’s just churning out some great stuff. This is no exception and the Star Wars kids have an Elvis fixation with this fine multi tracker that pays homage to US style punk. These tunes remind me of 7 Seconds (New Wind era) meets Gan in a nosebleed fist fight. In fact the singer sounds a little like Kevin Seconds and at times they play some classic tracks. I look forward to hearing more from Dagobah… Have you heard the news there’s good rockin’ tonight.

DAWNBREED - Aroma CD (Trans Solar Syndicateà Cargo)

Industrial sounds from this experimental raucous noise exponents. 8, well 7 tracks and 3 words to be exact, hauntingly, slightly insane numbers of varied intensity display their merit on this disc. The title track has a great film score feel to it and is totally cool while (Je Ne) Regrette Rien has a great back beat accompanying the ranting voice and cacophony of the intense sections of the track. There’s some great sax and subtle moments in El Cadillac Coffin and a flowing Iggy Pop feel to Sodastereo. This is an interesting album that skips about and towards the end delivers some excellent and unique numbers that make Dawnbreed an exceptional band.

DROPKICK MURPHEYS - Do or Die CD (Hellcat Recordsà Epitaph)

This is Boston (as MA, USA) band pretending to be the Pogues and Stiff Little Fingers rolled into one. First of all that makes them sound really cool musically but makes a joke out of their lyrics which I’m sure will piss off a lot of Irish people who have to live in troubled Ireland. It’s easy to pontificate about all manner of issues when you’re a million miles away and I hate to sound too xenophobic here but some Americans do have this obsession with Ireland. This attitude of affiliating themselves to "the cause" due to family trees and having this idealistic image of Ireland and their links - ie someone at sometime in the history of that family had a person who move from Ireland to the US. It kind of isn’t a real strong case is it? So great sounds but the lyrics pissed me off.

ELECTRIC EELS - Their Organic Majesty’s Request CD (Overground Records)

The Press Release says " Who The Fuck Are The Electric Eels ?" and this is a good starting point as I have to admit to not hearing of the band but members of this pre-punk Ohio band later became members of The Cramps, Dead Boys and Peter Ubu. Also this band apparently had a bit of an impact on Jon Spencer, Thurston Moore to name a few. The band have been pretty influential and had a very diverse form of music fuelled by a confrontational attitude that got them beat up on more than one occasion and into more fights than hot dinners. The members of this band provide a very individual form of music that is highly experimental and has an early sense of what is known now as Industrial. Interesting release and history lesson.

FLESHTONES - More Than Skin Deep CD (Epitaph Records)

The Fleshtones are a true rock and roll outfit and their sound has been as varied over the years as the rectal excretions of a sick dog. This their latest release has a very strong tendency towards the sounds of the Rolling Stones meets the Cramps and all those fluffy 70s New Wave bands in a love sick suicide attack. Plenty of gutsy full on sounds including fine harmonica and sax provide cool numbers like God Damn It, I'm Not A Sissy, and I Wanna Feel Something Now. Top stuff.

FOUR LETTER WORD - A Nasty Piece of Work CD (BYO Records)

I’ve really been looking forward to hearing this album and in no way am I disappointed. Welly and the rest of the Four Letter Word-ers deliver a blinding album which Frankie Stubbs has really done the business on sound-wise. This literally rips from start to finish with nearly every track hitting the spot with those Welsh scallies blistering anthems of choice punk rock tuneage. This is punk rock that retains harmony without compromising attitude and what’s more it has fucking proper lyrics that have meaning and say something. Just take the fine opener Sleight of Hand and the cool re-recorded versions of the Words That Burn EP (on JSNTGM Records) along with the mighty Chemical Sunset and Fundamentally Flawed and, and, and… shit I could go on and on this album is that cool. There’s also a great cover (hidden) of Black Flag’s awesome AT release Six Pack, no wonder BYO wanted to release these guys. Hey, you fuckers just buy probably the best UK (band) release of 1998 - like now!

FREAK - Fake Your Death 7" (Vinyl Japan Records)

Japanese speed core that is real reminiscent of those fine Jap bands like Lip Cream, Gauze and Outo with the intensity of L’A’RM and CCM. The title track is the best number with a real Flag of Democracy feel to it. Cool stuff.

FU MANCHU - The Action Is Go MC (Mammouthà Polydor)

Well if you take Frank Zappa and blend him with Gaye Bikers on Acid and toke a couple of spliffs then you’re about there for Fu Manchu. It’s a bit of a shit name and unfortunately the music isn’t any more riveting either. It’s bearable but very retro 70s rock kind of stuff that you either love of hate. In fact take any US 70s cop TV show and this band could have written the theme tune - Fu Manchu no thank you!

FURY OF FIVE - At War With The World CD (King Fisher Records)

I wasn’t too hot on their previous stuff on Gain Ground, but this bunch who play a metally NYHC have certainly surprised me with this offereing on King Fisher which is far better than their other stuff. More power and pace sort of like Ludichrist meets Agnostic Front in a head on collision. There’s 10 tracks all together and this has a cool sense of strength and power to it.

FUNERAL DRESS - Songs ‘Bout Sex & Beer & Punk Rock CD (We Bite Recordsà PHD)

Belgium punkers Funeral Dress play a very basic brand of Oi punk which is similar to many of the 80s UK punk bands. Nightmares is particularly cool and has a feel of The Wall, Riot is another gem with a Violators feel to it. Punk is Still Alive could have been written by the Exploited, I Feel Fine could have appeared on Bad Religion’s Back To Known EP and some of the other songs on here are really raw and simple yet effective. There’s a great cover of the cool Business track Real Enemy and this 19 track album really encapsulates a whole area - around about 1982-1984.

THE GADJITS - At Ease CD (Hellcat Recordsà Epitaph)

Nothing to do with Inspector Gadjit this is a weird band that have their own sound that combines the up tempo upstroke guitar style of ska with folky vocals - not unlike an American version of the Proclaimers. Sound strange ?! Yep, well it is but it’s also fucking excellent with top bouncy numbers like Tell Yourself and Sh’Bop (which is very much like that class song Louie Louie). There’s also two top covers: Skinhead Girl and the soul classic Mustang Sally. I love this, but if you’re too punk to listen to something a little different then stay away.

GAME FACE - Reminder CD (Dr Strange Records)

This is a collection of Game Face’s early singles and is a great collection of tracks that shows Game Face’s superb song writing even at an early stage - especially their debut 7" (which was released on Nemesis). Great melody and top sounds. PS.. Hey girls, they get their kit off on the cover !!!

GOOD RIDDANCE - Ballads From The Revolution CD (Fat Wreck Chords)

I have to admit that when I saw this lot play with Tilt a while back I didn’t like them much at all. But this album is pretty cool and they have changed my opinion some what. This is nice fast SE Hardcore that reminds me of Instead and Pennywise but these guys can rock it with melody too like on Jeannie which has a cool emotive feel to it. The lyrics are pretty good in a socio-political way as I remember them irritating me by moaning at the Duchess in Leeds about the fact there was a Bud banner at the front of the stage -they were playing in a pub for Christ’s sake! Anyway with this album I forgive everything this really is excellent in all aspects and thumbs up for providing proceeds of the discs to PETA and Santa Cruz Aids Project.

GRITO DE ODIO/DIRTHEAD - Split MC (MUT Tapes, PO BOX 152, Burton-On-Trent, DE14 1XX, UK.)

Spain’s Grito De Odio kick off the first half of this tape with a great intro which is followed by a string of live recordings that sounds somewhere between Carcass, Rupture and the Electro Hippies. As a result Grito De Odio come across as being really great on some tracks and a little unintelligible on others. Dirthead take up the remaining tracks with studio recordings which are reminiscent of a cross between Final Conflict and Doom providing some really cool tracks. Decent tape, cheap as you like (£2.50) so what are you waiting for ?!

Groop Dogdrill - Oily Rag CDEP (Mantra Records)

This band must inject pure hedonism into their veins as a speedball cocktail and the Oily Rag EP is no exception. Groop Dogdrill have the steaming entrails of Mudhoney and a downright dirty psyche of psychobilly bands like the Meteors and Demented Are Go. All this adds up to an aural assault on the senses with another sacrificial offering of heart wrenching, twisted tunes.

HATEBREED - Satisfaction Is The Death of Desire CD (Victory Recordsà PHD)

Well, there’s plenty of crunching generic metallic hardcore on here with some NYHC style growling vocals. Sort of along the lines of Sick Of It All meets Nuclear Assault which doesn’t really hold any fine moments, just blistering grinding hardcore from start to finish. OK but pretty unoriginal and monotonous even when it gets fast it sounds slow.

THE HEADCHECKS - S/T DEMO MC (83 Edmunds Road, Cranwell Village, Sleaford, NG34 8EP)

This is the debut tape from two former members of fine pop punkers The Shreds. Carrying on in the same vein as their previous band Austin and Russ have revitalised their sound and refreshed their tunes. This demo seems a lot more together and enthusiastic that the last bout of demos by the Shreds. Basically you get 5 cuts of up tempo harmonic pop punk with a nice raw edged guitar. Cool sounds and good to see these guys back at it, so get your head checked and listen up.

HEPCAT - Right On Time CD (Hellcat Recordsà Epitaph)

Along with the excellent Pie Tasters, Hepcat produce a first class chunk of 60s sounding soulful old style ska and reggae that provides that little bit of something different in this reviewers box of goodies. I really love this kind of stuff it’s so laid back and relaxing yet totally uplifting. It takes you away from it all and transports you to a hot beach in the Caribbean sat sipping rum cocktails. Hepcat mix the best in ska, reggae and calypso then shake it with the most perfect soulful harmonies and stir in some of Bob Marley’s finest compositions with a twist of the coolest jazz sax and brass making for one of the tastiest cocktails you’ll find on the beach. Excellent medicine for the winter blues.

HOBBES - Neo Maxi Zoom Dweebie DEMO MC (46 Vale Road, Windsor, Berks, SL4 5LA)

Following along the lines of Pinto and Beauty School Dropout only a little rawer. This Windsor trio crank out that US influenced Green Day/MTX style of pop punk, what’s more fairly well too. It needs a little polishing up here and there but on the whole this 5 tracker is fairly decent stuff. Could do with a few oohs and aahs and a little more harmonies to make the songs stand out more but other than that this is cool. They’re looking for gigs so drop them a line if you can help out.

I AGAINST I - Headcleaner CD (Epitaph Records)

I love this CD, excellent Euro style melodic power-pop-core with driving drums and totally cool vocals, kind of similar to Millencolin but with a real Bad Religion (Suffer era) slant in the vocal arrangements. Produced by Bill Stevenson and Stephen Egerton this album is cool and has a nice variety of songs on all with spot on harmonious vocals. Just buy this, it’s brilliant.

KICK BACK - Forever War CD (King Fisher Records)

This is metal ala Sepultura but not as good. Very average metal that has very little originality and it’s also a testament to your endurance if you can get through the first few tracks. Hey, but I’m sure that there’s some bods out there who’ll love this, just not me.

KING PRAWN - Not Your Punk EP 7" (WOW Records)

I really liked this the tittle track comes across as Rage Against the Machine with Jello Biafra on vocals, apart from the metal riffs there’s some lovely moments on here that would make Martha & The Muffins smile. The flip is a drum & bass version of Crass’ Nagasaki Nightmare flip - Big A Little A - a strange rendition but that’s what covers are about - you’re own interpretation. Interesting release.

LEADBELLY - Demo MC (C/O 430 Carlton Road, Carlton, Barnsley, S71 3HX, UK)

This is a nice batch of toe-tapping numbers from beer guzzlers Leadbelly. Playing their basic brand of melodic punk with real raw vocals that has a certain cool sound about them they deliver a series of medium paced ditties that have a hint of Stiff Little Fingers in the slower end stuff and a touch of Gan in the speedier moments. Top sounds.

LEATHERFACE - Discography (Part One -Live) CD (Rejceted Records)

"…are you ready mate ?" - Leatherface's opening comments at Blitz, Oslo '92. This is a great live document of the mighty and totally excellent Leatherface. Frankie and the gang deliver the blood, sweat and tears at two gigs one in Oslo in 1992 and the other in Dublin in 1993. Leatherface are a brilliant band live and usually I'm not too hot on live discs but this has to be the exception to the rule, probably because the Leatherface guys play hard and just as good as in the studio. This is just an exceptional release and part of a series which Mero is doing. Featuring all the classic numbers: I Want The Moon, Not Superstitious, Peasants in Paradise, Dead Industrial.., Do The Right Thing, Not A Day Goes By, Scheme of Things, How Lonely, Trenchfoot, New York State I could go on and on and on with the 22 tracks on here including their fine renditions of Message In A Bottle, In The Ghetto, I Can't Help Falling in Love and You Are My Sunshine. Brilliant document, I shut up now just buy it and make Mero rich.

LITHIUM JOE - Wartime Stories EP Advance Tape (Resolve Records, Flat 3, 101-103 Westbourne Ave, Hull, UK.)

Those fluffy pop punkers Lithium Joe do it again with their hyperactive slash and cut guitar style that’s layered with those distinctive honey comb harmonies. The first two tracks, Patience and the Ghost Road rip through the first side of this EP with all the usual classic Lith Joe fare. The flip commences with the jumbled and off kilter SOS which is followed by the excellent Aloneophobia which is a cool slow emotive number. Wartime Stories is the next 7" due out on Paul’ label Resolve and is going to be a great disc and should be out shortly. To reserve your copy send £2.50 (cheques to: P.Thompson).

LOMINYGWOL - S/T EP 7" (Quamby Hillà Bad Apple Distro, 5 St Georges Close, Evesham, Worcs, WR11 6GA. £2)

This is a strange one, from Germany I think, it sort of reminds me of the Cocteau Twins meets the Pixies and then steals a kiss from the Sugar Cubes. It’s very Lo Fi and dark, plus it takes a long time to get into each song which slightly negates the value of the subtle intros. This would be ideal music for B movies in the horror and slasher genre as the music fits the bill perfectly. Unfortunately that’s the only place I could put this music - behind a film.

LOVE JUNK/TURTLEHEAD - Split EP 7" (Speedowax Records)

On juicy orange vinyl this cool EP refreshes the parts and features two of the UK finest outfits. Love Junk take the helm with two cuts and open with a fine driving punk number that has all those cool hooks and melodic charms of those fine old US bands, I think this first track is from their demo we reviewed a while back. The second number has a great feel of Blondie meets the Rubinoos about it in a New Wave kinda way. Turtlehead take up the other 2 cuts with their Scots pop punk and both track are taken from their classic Black Slapping… album. Great stuff, fine EP and record collectors orgasm at the limited edition of 330 and on orange wax.

THE MARSHES - Pox On The Tracks CD (Dr Strange Records)

Recorded at the fine Inner Ear Studios this album sounds awesome and what’s more the ditties on this sucker are cool as a cucumber. The Marshes are a first rate trio playing snotty but melodic inventive energetic punk rock. Big Fat I Love You is so dirty and melancholic, while the title track is very DC sounding in a Beefeater meets Shudder To Think (early stuff) kind of way. In fact those two bands are the best comparison that I can come up with for this great band there’s even some strange bits and a medley of stuff at the end of the last track. The Marshes are really cool and every track is a creative gem and you won’t get bogged down this class album on Dr Strange.

MCRACKINS - Live In Madrid CD (One Louder Recordsà Overground)

Live, ass kicking punk rawk man, from the snotty attitude-laden McRackins. Dressed in those fancy get ups the raw driving rhythms of these manic Canadians takes you through 22 blistering tracks live in Madrid, Spain. Top tunes like Shut Your Mouth, I Tripped, Slap The Monkey, Cretinville, Spud Gun and Stupid Idtiot. Fuelled up and tooled up the McCrackins rip it up live - great stuff.

MONOCHROME - Radio CDEP (Trans Solar Syndicateà Cargo)

Germany’s Monochrome fit their name nicely, very subtle one dimensional slightly off kilter and dysfunctional music. Very difficult to pigeon hole, not that that’s a bad thing, it has a lovely drum sound and they really have a mixture of sounds in there from Joy Division to Portishead to the Fall to Beta Minus Mechanic. Strange but intriguingly different, very interesting and would make great movie sound tracks. Fallstuduien is a great track with such beautiful vocals.

MISCONDUCT - …Another Time CD (Bad Taste Records)

Ball blistering Hardcore that reminds me of a mighty collaboration between Judge, Crucifix and Instead. An awesome stomp-a-rama that has all the speed and intensity of some of the best bands in this genre while retaining a essence of melody. 16 tracks of great lacerated vocals backed by a thumping backbeat and time honoured razor guitars Sweden’s Misconduct are a force to be reckon with.

MY OWN VICTIM - The Weapon CD (Kingfisher Records)

Growling metallic hardcore that’s very similar to Madball and some of the finer SEHC bands like Upfront. This is pretty cool combining the really fast HC with some excellent slow stompy mid 8s. My Own Victim are also very creative in their song structures which is what keeps you listening and also some of the original things that drew me to the SEHC sounds years back when bands like Gorilla Biscuits, Bold, YOT, Straight Ahead and L’arm ruled the day. Defy The Norm is a perfect example as are Face Up and Throw The Next Stone and Haley is a great acoustic instrumental track that shows some great guitar sounds. Great HC.

NEW BOMB TURKS - At Rope’s End CD (Epitaph Records)

Awesome raw gutsy rock and fuckin’ roll man. This is totally tops - fast paced pounding rockabilly driving ass kicking garageland attitude-laden punk rock with a energetic buzzsaw guitar and rip roaring drum beats. Hey I guess I kind of like this huh ?! The ‘Turks are class and this release hasn’t seen them losing their raw edge in a flash clean production, these really reminds me of the early punk bands like The Saints. Yeah this rocks and all 13 cuts are the deepest ditties that injects pure adrenaline into your veins.

NO WINGS, FINS OR FUSELAGE - S/T CD (Saucer Recordà Cargo)

We reviewed the promo of this back in Issue 8 and here is the full lengther. This is Lo Fi UFO insanity the dead pan vocals on here are complimented with a ragin’ guitar of sound. The whole album is themed on UFOs and the Lo-Fi cacophony takes the craziest parts out of Nirvana and the Pixies then stirs in the tuneful nature of Dinosaur Jnr plus a token of hardcore injection of the Adolescents for good measure. I believe, I believe… take me to your leader…

OFF TARGET - Demo 2 MC (C/O 43 Weaver Hill, Fullers Slade, Milton Keynes, MK11 2BN, UK)

This is the latest demo from Milton Keynes’ post punkers Off Target. This tape certainly shows more attitude than their previous demo, the opening track is great and what I felt these were capable of - interesting and powerful songs. The band then break out into a ska punk jaunt in Bully Boy, there’s 4 songs on here which are really good and the maturity of a band finding their feet and direction is clearly apparent. There’s a top rendition of Man With Dogs by one of my all time fave bands ever, the Dead Kennedys. This tape is very professional looking with a colour inlay and side label for a mere £2 (inc post), also the band are looking for gigs so drop them a line if you can help out.

PEECHEES - Antarticist 7" (Roxy Records)

The Peechees are whiny and snotty with a cool basic brand of indie punk that spews all over your record deck. Simple but effective I really liked the feel of the title track. The flip is a little more melodic and has a bit of a Jesus & Marychain start before it chuggs along merrily through the rest of the song. Nice ditties and good sounds.

PETER & THE TESTTUBE BABIES - Alien Pubduction CD (We Bite Recordsà PHD)

The Testtubes are regularly cranking out new material and this is the latest. Alien Pubduction is a fine disc chock full of punky numbers that pull back to some of their early material. Early Grave is reminiscent of the Jinx with its cool guitar lick and The Troublemaker is a fine pounding number. 16 drink along numbers and an intro from Felicity Kendal. Check out their web site if you are an alien or have ever had contact with one at http://www.njhimdl.demon.co.uk/p&ttb.html

REFUSED - The Shape of Punk To Come CD (Burning Heart Records)

Total experimental punk hardcore fusion which has all the cool components of Dead Kennedys, Sonic Youth, Joy Division and Big Black plus the in your face attitude of Rollins and Crass and the feel of Shades Apart. This really is an excellent album combining a whole range of influences into a unique sound which Refused display with razor sharp lyrics and a finely honed originality that makes this release so exceptional. Excellent release and I love it.

SHAI HULUD - Hearts Once Nourished With Hope and Compassion CD (Crisis Recordsà Revelation Records)

Florida’s powerful hardcore outfit Shai Hulud deliver one hell of a ballistic attack of sound. Some of the tracks are pretty much in the Earth Crisis mould while others have some excellent compositions like A Profound Hatred of Man and This wake I Myself Have Stirred. Dark, crunching and disturbing, Shai Hulud are about to place themselves in the top league of this genre - just you wait and see.

SIX BY SEVEN - 88-92-96 CDEP (Mantra Records)

The first thing that grabs you about this disc is it’s haunting quality and slightly entrancing effect. The title track is very much like Portishead, with Annie Lennox on rasping vocals. Your Town sounds a little like Iggy Pop meets Pulp and is OK but never seems to get going, the final track is so much like Pulp it could be them in disguise.

SOMORE - I Refuse CDEP (XL Recordings)

6 mixes of this laid back dance number grace this disc, it’s a big hit in the clubs - which is understandable but it does little for me. It’s a little bit wimpy and it’s really material for the chill out zone.

STOMACH/STEEKY - Split CDEP (Rejected Records)

Steeky commences battle with the first 4 tracks on this split EP, Let Me Down is an absolute corker and with those Frankie Stubbs vocals in ever prominence. In fact their 4 tracks whiz by in a punk rock haze and Steeky really show their metal on here after their disappointing split with Cheapskate. Stomach take up the next 4 ditties with a great full frontal attack of aggressive vocals laid over a cool guitar sound which reminds me loads of the classic sounds of Government Issue. I really liked the Stomach tracks with their raw attitude and cool tunes. Great EP, top stuff from Irish label Rejected.

STUCK MOJO - Rising (Rough Mix Promo) CDEP (Century Media) Stuck Mojo play a rather fine concoction of rap metal crossover with a Red Hot Chilli Peppers vocal style. This EP has two tracks from their new 13 track album which is out at the end of March. There’s many bands who’ve done this kind of stuff like Bodycount and the like but Stuck Mojo have a lot more appeal about them and could easily crossover into many people’s tastes. In doing so they set themselves apart with their exceptional song writing ability. Similar to the way Faith No More did with their music from the metal scene. Interesting tracks.

STUNT CHILD - A Part of The Past EP 7" (£2.40 post paid to S. Barnard 6 Chatsworth Drive, Rushmere Park, Ipswich, IP4 5XA, UK)

Steve B (Real OD columnist) sent this little slab of wax in for review from Ippoland. The first thing that grabbed me was the 80s punk feel and guitar sound similar to Anti Pasti and the Wall. The second track was really good I liked the vocal interaction and the early DOA style guitar. Stunt Child make a fine debut disc here and play a cool brand of 80s influenced UK punk which has a 90s stench to it and making it relevant and interesting.

TURBONEGRO - Apocalypse Dudes CD (Boomba Records)

This starts off as a cross between the Damned (Black Album era), TSOL and the Who, then it cranks into a full frontal guitar attack that has the power of Poison Idea and the melody of the Dickies - strange combination but these guys make a fabulous noise. These strange looking fuckers have a look of the early Stranglers, NY Dolls and Kiss in a make up, dress up, fuck up explosion - putting the glamour back into rock and roll in a Clockwork Orange kind of way! These guys are excellent musicians and the music they produce is unique - that’s for sure, great melody-laden powerpunk, rock and roll and the Damned references so apparent in the guitar work you’d think Captain was strumming like a lune. The lyrics deal with pizza, oral sex, hedonism, anal sex, straight sex, gay sex and more sex. These are great tracks, 13 in all and these fuckers rock like hell, awesome stuff that I can’t stop playing.

TURTLEHEAD - I Preferred Their Earlier Stuff Advanced Tape (Bad Taste Records)

Turtlehead really surpass themselves with this great new album. 12 cool as you like finger lickin’ punk rock tunage with those catchy harmonious vocals and top notch riffola. Class tracks like Over You show Turtlehead at their best and it takes over from my fave track of theirs - Wall Tie. Most of the songs are touched with a wicked sense of humour including the declaration of love to Johnny Ball’s female off spring - Zoe Ball. This new album is sheer Scots class so just get it when it comes out, right ?! I preferred their earlier stuff… No, this just rocks.

VARIOUS - Cheap Shots CD (Burning Heart Records)

W.O.R.M - Jugglin’ With Poo CDEP (SID Records, 71 South Crescent, Duckmanton, Chesterfield, S44 5EQ, UK)