Diyno Mixtape: October 2023 releases – our suggestions
October 2023 releases selected for our monthly column Diyno Mixtape
Here we are again, ready to let you discover our favorites of this month. If you missed the article with September suggestions, read here. Why Diyno Mixtape? Diyno is a pun between dinosaur (our mascot is a magenta-colored tyrannosaurus) and DIY – do it yourself – since this is our ethos, our compass, our method and guiding spirit, our world. Mixtape is to give the idea of a collage, of a varied set of content not only in music, but also possibly in fanzines, books, films, various projects.
So in this October 2023 Diyno Mixtape, our crew represented by our dinosaur is going to mix a few little things from punk and diy world! In addition to what we consider literally unmissable, at the bottom you will find a section called “Also keep an eye on…” where we will include other gems that we are keen to mention. Here you will find, for example, albums that we liked, but slightly less than the ones described above, but that we still recommend because you might love them. You will also find demos, videos, other special projects, reissues, content that we did not have time to explore because we discovered it late or was released at the end of the month, and more.
NB: The list is in alphabetical order by band/author and is not a chart.
Be curious and if you have advice or opinions to give us on October releases, feel free to contact us on our social media or via email!
If you’re interested in the physical copy of any of these albums you can write to info@radiopunk.it. Some are in our catalog, some could be available on demand.
Big Dog – In The Yard (Mendeku Diskak | 7″)
Buffalo NY, does this city ring a bell? Yes, again this month we’re telling you about a band that grew out of the Violent Way circle, Big Dog. If you’re looking for straightforward, pissed-off, rough Oi that makes you want to slip on the Docs and head to the first neighborhood bar to chug 252565 beers, you’ve come to the right place. Four fast, aggressive, no-frills tracks with some expertly dosed guitar solos. Catchy lyrics sung by a rough, overbearing voice that fits right in! “Shine Your Boots” and “Violent Thoughts” will ravish you immediately! Oi!
Chain Whip – Call of The Knife (Drunken Sailor Records, Neon Taste Records | 12″ LP)
The second full-length by the Canadian band Chain Whip is a blast. Let’s say it right now. Press play and you seem to be instantly catapulted back to the 1980s at a hardcore punk concert in a raging pit. Impossible not to immediately think of Circle Jerks. But then, as soon as Josh Nickel’s voice starts with its furious roar that is damned peculiar and perfect, you realize that you are in front of a completely original creature.
It’s a magnificent potion in which hardcore punk, a dash of garage, songs that vary from “fast” to “faster” mode, rattling riffs, angry and pressing lyrics about social and political issues, a kind of anti-everything-and-everybody, 80s style, are sumptuously mixed. Watch out for the song “Hatewave,” it is extremely addictive. The cover then is a gem and will make you want to have the physical format as well. A record that to call remarkable is an understatement!
Extensive Slaughter – More Than a Nightmare (Neon Taste Records | 12″ LP)
From Vancouver comes this crust punk band named after a track by Excrement of War, a historic British band active in the 1990s. 8 violent tracks, with a devastating shot and played in a maddening way. A record that can bring together a bit all lovers of sounds such as crust punk, d-beat, death metal and even fans of the most rotten hardcore punk… in short extreme palates! From the first listen these riffs stick in your head with these nothing short of perfect sounds and lightning fast rhythms. A crazy record, on loop since it was released on October 4, we eagerly await the vinyl, in the meantime press play below and let yourself be transported in this vortex of sonic devastation!
Golpe – Assuefazione Quotidiana (7″ | Static Shock Records, Beach Impediment Records)
Sound, artwork and lyrics drag us into a space-time hole finding ourselves suddenly hoovered up in the 80s. 5 tracks of rough hardcore punk infused with d-beat and raw punk that, considering the origin of the one man band, immediately refers to Wretched from Milan. The lyrics, concise but not sloganistic, are about these restless times by lucidly analyzing and criticizing the political and social reality that surrounds us. One phrase above all: “Ogni idea nasce e muore in teoria se non è messa in pratica (Every idea is born and dies in theory if it is not put into practice)” contained in the last song “Teoria in Pratica” is as simple as it is explanatory. Incredible EP, a pounding and chaotic sequence of aggressive, energetic and frenzied hardcore punk. To be listened to over and over again!
Mary Bell – Cerbero (Destructure Records | CD, LP)
For people – like the one who is writing this – who are fans of truculent True Crime stories, the name Mary Bell immediately… rings a bell: Mary was in fact a baby-assassin who, after a dysfunctional childhood marked by abuse and violence, as soon as she was 11 years old brutally murdered two children aged 3 and 4. With this name as a premise, the Paris-based feminist quartet immediately teleports us back to the 1980s/90s with its rough and dark sound. Grunge-punk done properly, with a touch of post-punk, typical of this latest wave of the French underground, along with vocals and choruses screamed to the max. Throw in the fact that the artwork is really amazing and final treat, the song “Inferno” is sung in Italian. “Cerbero” is pure riot grrrl rage, not to be missed!
Nafarroa 1512 – Askatasun Haizea (Tough Ain’t Enough | EP)
Everything about this record invites listening. Let’s start with the name: Nafarroa is the Basque name for Navarre, part of Euskal Herria (the land of the Basque speakers) but not of the autonomous community of Euskadi (Basque Country), or at least not yet… 1512, contrary to what we thought, is not a typo for 1312 but rather the year in which Navarre was conquered and annexed to Spain… and finally the title Askatasun Haizea: wind of freedom. If this were not enough to prompt you to press PLAY immediately, I would add that the four tracks are excellent street punk/Oi!, engaging and direct, to be played at full volume. The lyrics are combative and incisive, filled with references to Basque history… You will want to learn Euskera just to sing the choruses!
The Mistakes – A good hill to die on (Time & Matter Records | CD/12” LP)
This by the British quintet is an extremely smart album. Nothing is thrown in at random, everything makes sense, starting with the title and cover, which introduce the topic of war as a media trend. But in the lyrics, very carefully crafted and loaded with references, puns and sarcasm, there is also talk about friendship, countercultures, hackers, alcohol… Even a “drunk” song like “Drink up boys” has a logic: listen to it once and you won’t get it out of your head. Wise is the dosage of streetpunk and punk rock with just a pinch of ska, and the balance of verses, refrains and choruses, all played with technique, energy and heart. A must-have!
PWRUP – Just devils (Ska Punk International | CD/12” LP)
They call themselves “working class ska punk & thrash” and are from Massachusetts. Brace yourselves because this is a bizarre mix of ska-punk, hardcore, metal and prog: vocal harmonies, guitars gone wild, very fast rhythms and melodies with horns. A mix that surprises and bewilders at first but then captivates inexorably. The lyrics plunge into the deep recesses of the psyche, such as “Castigation: The Simulation” or address social issues, such as “Corner/Office” (featuring Efrem Schulz, vocalist for Voodoo Glow Skulls and Death by Stereo). For those who are not afraid to “taste” unlikely match ups!
Svalbard – The weight of the mask (Nuclear Blast | CD, LP)
Taking the spectrum of genres contained in punk here we find ourselves at its twisted confines, where it overlaps with the metal periphery. It’s hard to define Svalbard’s sound: some talk of metal/post-hardcore with shoegaze influences and d-beat elements, others add a pinch of black metal. In short, it’s difficult to give a definition, but one thing is certain: their roots are in hardcore, and their attitude is also hardcore. Direct and impactful music, continuous hammering and solid d-beat, with room for moments in which you can hear the strong influence of bands like Alcest or Mono.
A key feature of the band: the lyrics. Simple, straight to the point and always with important themes. If in the group’s previous works these ranged (against misogyny and sexism, on inclusivity etc.), this album focuses on one main theme: mental health. An extremely topical and important theme. In short, if you are intrigued, don’t miss this blast!
Also keep an eye on…
–Brux – Working Class Drama (Tape). New EP from the Barcelona-based band that effectively mixes punk oi! elements such as rhythmics and raw, massive vocals with melodies typical of post-punk and new wave. The result is cool as hell!
– Conferência inferno – Pos Esmeralda (12” LP). Badwave trio from Porto, 8 hypnotic tracks sung in Portuguese that will teleport you to the dark side of the 80s. To listen to while staring at the ceiling.
– Doom Scroll – Pyrrhic victory (Fat Wreck Chords). Banjo, mandolin and washboard and complex vocal harmonies for four melodic punk wave tracks on the topic of alienation from electronic devices. Stylish and engaging.
– Neallta Fola – Hemen eta orain (Tough Ain’t Enough | 12” LP). Melodic street punk from the Basque Country with a very distinctive and catchy sound. Six tracks with lyrics between social and introspective.
–Private Mind – The Truth You See (Triple B Records | 12″ LP). The Long Island band churns out 8 mind-blowing tracks, a roller coaster that takes you from more melodic and clean sounds typical of emo to more intense and energetic parts proper to post-hardcore. The result is spectacular!
–Rampage! – Delusions of Dominance. From Athens comes this amazing band with their fast, old-school hardcore punk. Whether you’re at a demonstration or about to launch yourself off the top of a skate ramp crank up the volume!
– Yellow plague – Et voi voittaa. Very catchy punk rock from Finland. Four tracks sung in Finnish that stay in your head from the first listen.
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