Diyno Mixtape: May 2024 releases – our suggestions
May 2024 releases selected for our monthly column Diyno Mixtape
Also in this month of May we discovered and listened to a lot of stuff, selecting for you the releases you find in Diyno Mixtape. We will take you on a journey through many countries such as Italy, Brazil, USA, France, Chile, Catalonia, Canada, England. As always plenty of room for different subgenres: Hardcore, Ska, Garage, oi!, Grindcore, punk rock sounds and more. Buckle up!
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 May 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.
Apoptosi – Verso un Futuro di Completa Anestesia (DIY | CD / Do you Care? Zine | tape)
After seeing them live we were pleasantly shocked: the age of the band’s members is very young, but to call Apoptosi a combine harvester we don’t think sufficiently conveys the idea. Seeing is believing! Speaking of the album these 17 tracks are something impressive, a lethal mixture of hatred, wrath, lucid delirium towards power and apathy that devours human beings. Very fast, very short and damn effective songs musically placeable among chaotic punk, grindcore and 80s Italian hardcore, one name above all Nerorgasmo. The sense of uneasiness you are left with at the end is palpable, thanks also to the minimal black and white artwork. Truly a masterpiece, to be listened to on a loop!
Asfixia Social – Bleeding in the sun (DIY)
The distressing cover image – one of those journeys of hope that all too often end in tragedy – introduces the main topic of the Brazilian band’s album: the planet is going through a global crisis, and we are not all equally affected. From the streets of São Paulo to the world, “Bleeding in the sun” is a call to resistance amid the adversities of contemporary life, set to music in an original mix of rap, ska, punk, Brazilian music, funk and dub. The 8 tracks, all but one of which are sung in English, also feature guest appearances by Joe from Canada’s D.O.A. and Scottish singer Sahala. A special mention for “Vai Vendo”, the only track sung in Portuguese, which will delight those who like to play with words: the lyrics are technically a tautogram, i.e., all the words in them begin with the same letter, in this case V! Valuation? Very Valuable!
Autodifesa Proletaria – Autunno Caldo (DIY)
A few months after the release of “Assalto al Cielo”, we talk again about the band that navigates the Bolognina-Ostia-Lecce axis as one would guess from one of the songs contained in this new album. The band is politically committed: the lyrics against masters, cops and praising those comrades who are no longer here and who fought against capitalism are “quite” clear. Even more evocative are the artwork, the titles, the quotes scattered here and there in the lyrics and the two cover versions. Musically, the discourse interrupted with the demo is resumed, apart from the three songs contained in it, the proposal does not change by plunging us into a world of oi!/combat rock/punk hardcore with very powerful sounds. In fact, even here there is a wink to Azione Diretta, Erode, Banda del Rione and Plakkaggio, but if the influences are the top of the line, the real skill of the band is to keep the level high by creating something absolutely personal. Devastating!
Cut Piece – Your Own Good (Total Punk Records | 12″ LP)
Faucheuse – Rêve Électrique (Symphony Of Destruction | 12″ LP)
To categorize Faucheuse’s “Rêve Électrique” into a subgenre is really impossible, but we’ll give it a try: the Bordeaux band mixes the maddening rhythms of d-beat with hardcore punk in a truly original way. At the first listen you will feel as if you have entered the mind of a crazy person who moves in a rambling but also harmonious way, almost as if electrocuted by an electric shock. It is hard not to mention Emilie’s voice first of all, high-pitched and ringing but at the same time melodic and in tune it almost acts as a fourth musical instrument. The bass line is also super multifaceted and interesting, and it goes really well with the guitar and its solos. The energy that gives off this record is really unique and unmistakable and we are sure that it will conquer even those who are not used to listening to d-beat! Really wonderful work!
Goulamas’K – Sempre Aquí (DIY | CD)
It was not obvious for this new album by Goulamas’K to match the very high level of its predecessors, especially that masterpiece that is “Luna Roja”, from 2021. Nor was it easy to avoid falling into self-celebration, given that it comes out on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the standard-bearer band of Occitan punk. Yet the historic ensemble, now road-tested with recent additions to the line-up, hands down earns a place in the Olympus of the best albums of the year by staying true to itself, with its roots firmly planted in tradition and the local area, but opening up to embrace modernity and internationalism with a record that looks straight to the future. Ancient and modern instruments, and the voice that becomes an instrument with assonant words and overlapping idioms, rhythms that range from ska to hip hop, favoring this time reggae suggestions, without losing the overwhelming energy characteristic of the band that gives its best live (seen last summer in France, astonishing!). “Sempre Aquí” is a journey that inspires peace and happiness, a spirit of revolt against injustice and love for the things that make us feel good, confidence in a future we can dream of, with the knowledge that we can change the world if we know how to be the sand in the gear. A journey in warm, mellow colors to distant lands from which, however, with new sounds and new words in our pockets, we always, unfailingly, return home.
the Hope Conspiracy – Tools of Oppression/Rule by Deception (Deathwish Inc. | 12″ LP, CD)
This record rushes into the monthly Diyno for ‘a few seconds’, waited for with trepidation until the last second has absolutely not disappointed our expectations. The historic Boston band have packed all the hardcore rage they can into 10 tracks and released an album that will leave you breathless, as you might have guessed from the singles already released over the past few months (‘The West is Dead’). The record opens with a few decisive chords, pounding drums, a siren starts and boom: you are sucked into the vortex! Track after track, lyrics of denunciation and anger are accompanied by top quality hardcore. Nothing is really missing. Listen on repeat!
Hot Water Music – Vows (End Hits Records (EU), Equal Vision Records (US) | CD, 12″ LP)
Hot Water Music’s new record arrives on their 30th birthday. For this record, the Florida band decided to involve many of the friendships built up over the years. Many of the tracks feature collaborations (e.g. the album’s closing track with the Interrupters). Despite the fact that many of the vocals replace Chuck Ragan’s, the spirit of the band is well present in all tracks. The band’s classic post-hardcore imprint can be recognised and heard, without ever ending up in self-celebration. An album that doesn’t bore, a very good quality product but this is not surprising, in 30 years these guys have learned a few things!
Invertebrates – Sick To Survive (Beach Impediment Records | 12″ LP)
Let’s make things clear right away: if you like good old 80s hardcore punk, this album will make you cry out for a miracle! We are talking about an album that is already a serious candidate for album of the year in its genre. The band from Richmond, Virginia comes back after a couple of small releases to pleasantly ravage our eardrums, unleashing 10 tight, very fast, ferocious tracks with best-in-class riffs and an overbearing bass both in terms of revs and sound. Thanks then to the explosive, screaming vocals that seem to shake you up and a drum kit that goes full blast then you’ll feel like you’re back in the 80s among Black Flag, Minor Threat and Circle Jerks. Absolute masterpiece!
Plankton – In Balia Delle Onde (NKTN Rehorz, Malammòre DIY, Valley Distro, Rumagna Sgroza, Radio Punk | CD)
The album had tiptoed out last year on youtube and bandcamp with the announcement that a DIY conspiracy was being sought to give it a physical form. So these nine songs come out this May 2024 in CD format embellished with artwork by Borga (Ligurian tattoo artist as well as a member of bands such as Losers Parade, Downright). We are extremely happy to have participated in this co-production because the album is devastating, we are friends with and we crazy esteem the lovely people who play in this band. Talking about the album, these nine tracks perfectly describe the band, which skillfully blends the right amount of melody and power that creates a strong impact and gives it a totally personal sound. The songs are steeped in old-school hardcore punk with a certain halo of melodic hardcore/Californian punk rock, and this hybrid can also be heard in the lyrics, which are mostly political, given the way they deal with them somewhere among anger, urgency and irony. Amazing album!
Also keep an eye on…
Various Artists – Catalunya Explota (Kasba Music | 12” LP). Catalan label Kasba Music’s 20th anniversary compilation featuring 16 tracks (2 each) by different bands: Les Buch, Ratpenat, Againsters, Batec, Brot Bord, Nafra, Dalla, Ratpenades. The best of current Catalan hardcore punk!
Abyecta – Eps Collection (Symphony of Destruction | 12″ LP). Started as a solo project by Chilean singer Carolina, the band changes lineup depending on where they are touring. Punk with blasting riffs with influences a little bit hardcore a little bit metal, charismatic vocals and pounding drums. A nice collection of their two EPs, a must have!
The Anti-Queens – Disenchanted (Stomp Records | CD/tape/12” LP). Punk rock from Toronto, Canada, melodic and energetic at the same time. Scratching vocals and punchy lyrics against patriarchy and for inclusiveness. 13 tracks to listen to all in one go!
Bootcamp – Controlled Burn (Pokeys Records | Tape, 7″). 4 fast-paced, edgy, outspoken hardcore punk songs with politically engaged lyrics both on the environmental front and against the ongoing genocide and for the freedom of the Palestinian people. Highly impactful!
Bootlicker – 1000 Yd. Stare (Static Shock, Neon Taste | 12″ LP) 10 tracks of hardcore punk with a dash of garage/rock ‘n roll influences in the guitar riffs. Pounding drums and screaming into the microphone. A powerful, violent, loud and fast record, just the way we like it!
Counting Coins – Still Poor. An obsessively repeated melody jumps from ska-punk to gypsy to hip hop and back, several times within the same song. The English quintet nonchalantly makes you pogo, skank, jig, polka and waltz. For lovers of exercises in style!
Grim Luck – Grim Luck. Concept album, musical, or, as they call it, “skapera,” a ska opera that in 12 tracks tells the piratesque adventures of the Grim Luck crew. An ambitious project by the California band with a wide variety of musical styles and instruments that will not fail to amaze you.
Home Invasion – Enemy (War Records | 12″ LP). Hailing from Chicago is this steamroller dedicated to massive hardcore with portentous staccato and fresh, full-bodied sounds. 12 deflagrating tracks that will have you cranking up the stereo!
Judy and The Jerks / Shitty Life – Split (Earth Girl Tapes | cassetta / Refuse Records | 12″ LP). Fresh and energetic split album featuring 10 songs by Judy and The Jerks, a Mississippi band offering hardcore with garage punk sounds, fast and direct and 4 tracks by Shitty Life, a Parma quintet devoted to dirty punk always with strong garage and rock n roll sounds. Two bands that sound great together on the same record!
Lion’s Law – Si le ciel vient à tomber (Une Vie Pour Rien Vinyles | 12″ LP). A wonderful collection of all songs sung in French by one of the most important bands on the contemporary oi! scene. There are also two new songs, also in French, and a version remade for the occasion of the band’s classic “Lafayette.” A must-have!
Plague Bomb – Human Obsolescence (No Hope Records | Tape). The Roman quartet is making its debut as a band but is made up of people who have been active in the scene for a long time, and the experience is fully noticeable. Devastating grindcore at two speeds: tupa tupa and blast beat. If the barred note is your credo, you’ll be listening to it in spades!